CTIA's Largent Defends Spectrum Proposal

The head of the wireless industry association CTIA Thursday defended a Federal Communications Commission proposal aimed at encouraging broadcasters to voluntary give up spectrum to accommodate the growing demand for mobile Internet services.

In a letter to the FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and the four other commissioners, Steve Largent responded to comments made earlier this week by National Association of Broadcasters President and CEO Gordon Smith at his group's annual convention in which he accused the FCC of orchestrating a "spectrum grab" that could threaten the viability of free over-the-air television. Genachowski pushed back against such arguments on Tuesday during his speech at the convention and sought to reframe the debate by insisting that TV outlets actually would benefit from the approach. "CTIA recognizes the benefits of television broadcasting, but believes Mr. Smith's statements negatively focus on a misinterpretation of 'threats' to free over-the-air television while disregarding the reality of a looming spectrum crisis and vast consumer appetite for mobile broadband," Largent wrote. "The commission has charted a rational and wise course that facilitates the dual goals of identifying additional spectrum to be auctioned for mobile broadband without impairing broadcast television."