Sides line up as FCC looks to re-allocate valuable spectrum

[Commentary] A crucial side-battle in this week's release of the National Broadband Plan - and likely a long, drawn out one at that - is the tussle over whether existing spectrum currently allocated to TV broadcasters should be dedicated to broadband services.

The biggest problem with broadcast spectrum is its owners don't value it very highly. Obviously they like having it, otherwise they wouldn't fight tooth and nail to keep it. But because their licenses cost little or nothing, they have little incentive to make the most efficient use of it. If they had to pay $1 billion for a license in NYC, I bet they find a way to pack as much content into the spectrum as possible. And if they couldn't find a use for it, they'd sell it to someone who could. So why not hold a spectrum auction that both wireless operators and broadcasters can both participate in? If broadcasters really need that TV spectrum for future channels and services, then let them speak with their wallets. If the programming they provide is more important and more profitable than mobile broadband then the market will show us the way, right?