DTV legislation must Expand Availability of Unlicensed Spectrum to Promote Affordable Broadband Access

Twenty-five public interest organizations have signed a letter sent to the US Senate urging Congress to set aside portions of the digital broadcast band for unlicensed use and direct the FCC to complete its stalled rulemaking to open unassigned TV channels in each market (TV band “white space”) for unlicensed wireless broadband services. "Use of these airwaves via an unlicensed wireless broadband platform," the groups write, "would be of enormous benefit to consumers, public safety agencies, and small businesses that seek low-cost communications to promote job growth." The groups conclude: "Any legislation that fails to address the spectrum needs of Americans in the 21st century fails to serve the public interest. The DTV transition represents an historic opportunity to maximize efficient use of public resources to meet public needs."
http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_telecom_and_utilities/002822.html#more
Signees:
Action Coalition for Media Education (ACME)
Alliance for Community Media
Center for Creative Voices in Media
Center for Digital Democracy
Chicago Media Action
Citizens for Independent Public Broadcasting
Common Assets Defense Fund
Common Cause
Consumer Federation of America
Consumer Project on Technology (CPTech)
Consumers Union
Free Press
Hawaii Consumers
Industry Ears
Media Alliance
Media Access Project
Media Channel
Media Democracy Chicago
National Hispanic Media Coalition
Native Networking Policy Center
New America Foundation
Public Knowledge
Prometheus Radio
Reclaim the Media
U.S. Public Interest Research Group/National Association of State PIRGs