Two members of Congress, Reps. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), have thrown their support behind broadcast, cable other incumbent users of C-band spectrum. Cárdenas and Kinzinger urged the FCC to protect current band users as the agency considers re-purposing part of the band for 5G in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
In a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the lawmakers say they support the efforts to close the digital divide, however the agency needs to balance the importance of existing services on C-band that may be affected by any changes. They note that C-band is licensed to satellite companies that use the spectrum to deliver programming to, “a vast number of stakeholders in rural and non-rural areas, including those that deliver content for television and cable programming.”
Radio, too, uses C-band frequencies to connect local public and commercial stations to national networks and syndicated programming, they added. “In seeking a balanced approach…the Commission must also carefully consider the potential for interference from new terrestrial users to incumbent operations.”
Cárdenas and Kinzinger write that if the agency opens C-band for reallocation, at a minimum, the agency should ensure incumbent users, “are made whole for any costs incurred as a result of any new services or shared uses of the band.”
In reaction, the NAB, American Cable Association, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association and NPR stated: “Tens of millions of Americans rely on the C-band to receive news, entertainment, weather and sports content every day. It’s critically important for the FCC to ensure that any changes to C-band spectrum usage must preserve interference-free access to this radio and TV content.”
January 21, 2019
Reader Interactions