Looking Under the Hood: Technical Paper on Options for Broadcast Spectrum

A new paper provides further details on the technical analyses that support the recommendations in the National Broadband Plan relative to repurposing the TV broadcast spectrum.

The FCC strongly emphasizes two critical points that are the cornerstones of the paper. First, any contributions of spectrum by TV broadcasters to an incentive auction will be voluntary. Second, consumers will continue to have access to free over-the-air TV broadcasting service and every effort will be made to minimize any losses of service due to repacking of the TV broadcast band.

This paper presents several new analyses and methodologies that are worth pointing out:

• The paper offers more detail on how an incentive auction might work.
• It presents the first, in-depth analysis and publication by the FCC of actual bandwidth requirements of various video streams. The analysis provides data to support the assertion that two television stations could voluntarily share a single six-megahertz channel and continue to broadcast their primary video streams in HD.
• It provides an initial look at a new TV allotment optimization model being developed by the FCC. This model will help to maximize the efficiency and collective benefits of broadcast TV and broadband services in the band. For example, it will allow the FCC to optimize channel assignments to achieve various objectives within given constraints, such as minimizing disruption to over-the-air television viewers.

This paper represents the start of the process - not the conclusion. It offers provocative ideas that deserve to be fully vetted and considered. That is why Chairman Genachowski asked the Commission staff to hold the Broadcast Engineering Forum.