NAB Slams Wireless Call for BAS Spectrum

The National Association of Broadcasters is not happy with the wireless industry's request that the Federal Communications Commission look to reclaim some broadcast auxiliary services (BAS) band spectrum for commercial reallocation, calling it a threat to public safety.

That spectrum is currently used for electronic newsgathering (ENG) and is where they moved ENG when they reallocated satellite spectrum. ENG spectrum was reclaimed and users repacked/moved from the 2 GHz band to a new home between 2025 and 2110 as part of the relocation of mobile satellite spectrum. That wireless request came in a letter from CTIA: The Wireless Association to the FCC. CTIA points out that the FCC has until February 2015 to identify 15 MHz of contiguous spectrum for reallocation and licensing for mobile broadband. That would be a short-term spectrum injection compared to the spectrum being reclaimed from broadcasters in the incentive auction. The National Telecommunications & Information Administration is charged with coming up with 15 MHz of government spectrum to reallocate, and CTIA says the BAS band is a natural fit.