House Panel To Begin Examination of Spectrum Issues

House Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) said that the panel will begin its examination of spectrum issues next week with a hearing. During a speech at the National Association of Broadcasters state leadership conference, Chairman Upton said the committee wants to craft legislation that would ensure both broadcasters and wireless providers can continue to provide consumers with what they want: access to television and spectrum to meet the growing demand for wireless broadband.

"We want to design a win, win, win strategy," Chairman Upton said. "We want to have broadcasters to win, wireless [operators] to win and the public to win in terms of deficit reduction." Among the issues policymakers must tackle include how to free up more spectrum for wireless broadband and whether to re-allocate a controversial chunk of spectrum known a the D-block to public safety officials for a national broadband interoperable network. Chairman Upton did not give any signals as to what proposals the committee would take up, saying the hearings will help educate lawmakers on the issues.