Implementing the National Broadband Plan | Issues

Opening TV Spectrum to New Wireless Broadband Services

On November 30, 2010, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking setting the stage for voluntary broadcast spectrum auctions that could provide consumers with the robust mobile broadband services they demand while preserving over-the-air TV that many rely upon.

Comment due date: 03/18/2011

Comment reply due date: 04/18/2011

Preserve broadband communications during emergencies

Recommendation #198
FCC Chapter: 16.4
Preserve broadband communications during emergencies

Amend the Copyright Act to enable a digital national archive

Recommendation #189
FCC Chapter: 15.9
Congress should consider amending the Copyright Act to enable public and broadcast media to more easily contribute their archival content to a digital national archive and grant reasonable noncommercial downstream usage rights for this content to the American people.

Create a national digital archive to house public interest digital content

Recommendation #188
FCC Chapter: 15.8
The federal government should create and fund Video.gov to publish its digital video archival material and facilitate the creation of a federated national digital archive to house public interest digital content.

Amend the Copyright Act to provide for copyright exemptions to public broadcasting

Recommendation #187
FCC Chapter: 15.7
Congress should consider amending the Copyright Act to provide for copyright exemptions to public broadcasting organizations for online broadcast and distribution of public media.

Increase funding to public media

Recommendation #186
FCC Chapter: 15.6
Congress should consider increasing funding to public media for broadband-based distribution and content.

Conclude the TV White Spaces Proceeding

Recommendation #40
FCC Chapter: 5.12

Status: Completed

The Federal Communications Commission should move expeditiously to conclude the TV white spaces proceeding

Reallocate Broadcast Television Spectrum

Recommendation #36
FCC Chapter: 5.8.5

Status: In progress

The FCC should initiate a rulemaking proceeding to reallocate 120 megahertz from the broadcast television bands

Allow FCC and NTIA to Impose Spectrum Fees

Recommendation #29
FCC Chapter: 5.6

Status: Started

Congress should consider granting authority to the Federal Communications Commission to impose spectrum fees on license holders and to National Telecommunications and Information Administration to impose spectrum fees on users of government spectrum.

Fund Federal Incumbent Spectrum Relocation

Recommendation #28
FCC Chapter: 5.5

Status: Started

Congress should consider building upon the success of the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act to fund additional approaches to facilitate incumbent relocation.