Groups Seek FCC Public Interest Spectrum Use Inventory

While broadcasters have called on the Federal Communications Commission to do a spectrum use inventory before trying to reclaim broadcast spectrum for broadband, an alliance of public interest groups is advising the FCC to conduct a broadcast spectrum public interest inventory before proceeding to reclamation. The groups -- the Campaign Legal Center, NOW, Benton Foundation, Media Alliance and the National Hispanic Media Coalition -- told the FCC in comments that there is not enough evidence on either side of the argument over the future of broadcasting spectrum.

Specifically, the groups want the FCC to use its already-approved new reporting form (355), which requires broadcasters to list the type and number of hours of programming on primary streams and multicasts. "Armed with this information, the Commission will be able to determine whether or not broadcasters are using their digital channels and if they are airing programming responsive to the public." If they are not, the FCC should be free to repurpose it, they say. "If television broadcasters are using their spectrum and serving the public, then a diminution of spectrum could threaten the viability of these services." But either way, that accounting should come before the FCC starts re-auctioning spectrum. "Before the Commission moves forward with its proposals, which could negatively affect the viability of broadcast public services, it should substantiate these differing claims of spectrum efficiency by implementing Form 355," the groups argue.