NAB Says President's Wireless Plan Calls For More Holistic Approach

National Association of Broadcasters President Gordon Smith says President Barack Obama is right to make wireless build out to rural America a priority, and that that argues for not putting too much emphasis on spectrum reclamation.

The FCC is looking to move broadcasters off spectrum in population centers, like the Eastern Seaboard corridor, to free up room for more wireless broadband. But Smith interpreted the President's remarks as suggesting a more balanced approach. "We agree with the White House that wireless broadband infrastructure build-out to rural America is the key to job creation," he said, "and NAB believes the President's vision deserves as much attention as reallocating broadcast spectrum to wireless carriers in urban markets. We encourage Congress to consider a holistic approach to the wireless broadband issue, including passage of spectrum inventory legislation that fully identifies fallow or warehoused airwaves."