Broadcasters Wary Of Broadband Plan's Spectrum Proposal

Broadcasters voiced concern Monday with a provision in the national broadband plan released by the Federal Communications Commission that urges broadcasters to give up some spectrum, saying it doesn't appear as "voluntary" as promised.

"We were pleased by initial indications from FCC members that any spectrum reallocation would be voluntary, and were therefore prepared to move forward in a constructive fashion on that basis," National Association of Broadcasters Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton said in a statement. "However, we are concerned by reports today that suggest many aspects of the plan may in fact not be as voluntary as originally promised. Moreover, as the nation's only communications service that is free, local and ubiquitous, we would oppose any attempt to impose onerous new spectrum fees on broadcasters." The statement added that broadcasters have already returned 108 megahertz of spectrum as part of the transition from analog to digital television.