Rockefeller Introduces Spectrum Bill

Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, has introduced a bill that would authorize an incentive auction to reimburse broadcasters for spectrum reclaimed by the government, but only so long as it was given up voluntarily.

The bill, whose primary purpose is to allocate spectrum and funds to create a national, interoperable public safety network, also gives the FCC the incentive auction authority with this caveat: "The Commission may not reclaim frequencies licensed to broadcast television licensees or other licensees, directly or indirectly, on
an involuntary basis."