Group Opposes 'Harmonizing' ATSC 3.0 With Auction

Dish Network, competitive wireless carriers, tech companies, Public Knowledge and the Expanding Opportunities for Broadcasters Coalition have jointly asked the Federal Communications Commission not to delay the early 2016 start of the broadcast incentive auction for any reason, including to "harmonize it" with the launch of a new transmission standard. The letter is not anti-ATSC 3.0, one of the members points out, just anti-auction delay. That joint request came in a statement filed with the commission, in which they said: "The undersigned broadcasters, wireless carriers, trade associations, think tanks and public interest groups, including supporters of ATSC 3.0, strongly support the planned First Quarter 2016 start of the 600 MHz Incentive Auction. And we oppose delaying the Incentive Auction in an attempt to synchronize TV Station repacking and the transition to ATSC 3.0. Our opposition to delaying the 600 MHz Incentive Auction does not express a joint position on the ATSC 3.0 standard itself for any purpose."