Electronic
“This spectrum is uniquely suited for mobile broadband applications,” CTIA – The Wireless Association and the Consumer Electronics Association said in a letter today to the Federal Communications Commission. The groups said the FCC should “immediately” begin studying whether to reallocate “broadcast spectrum.”
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski in an Oct. 7 speech cited a “looming spectrum crisis” caused in part by increased use of mobile Internet devices. Devices such as Apple Inc.s iPhone, offered through AT&T Inc., are increasingly straining wireless networks as users turn to mobile applications and services.
The FCC is “likely” to try to reclaim some broadcast spectrum, Paul Gallant, a Washington-based analyst for Concept Capitals Washington Research Group, said in a note to clients Oct. 28.
In their letter today, the Arlington-based electronics association and the Washington-based wireless association said Congress mandated an FCC study of spectrum use in a 1996 law. The letter was signed by Steve Largent, president of CTIA, and Gary Shapiro, president of the electronics association.
TV Non-Starter
Gordon Smith, president of the National Association of Broadcasters, said it would be a “non-starter” to reassign spectrum and leave TV stations unable to send more than one program at a time, or to send high-definition pictures. Those are capabilities offered by the digital signals used by major TV stations including network affiliates. Smith spoke at a luncheon in Washington, where the NAB is based.
CTIA lists as members the four largest wireless carriers in the U.S.: AT&T Inc.; Deutsche Telekom AGs T-Mobile unit; Sprint Nextel Corp.; and Verizon Wireless, owned by Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group PLC.
The Consumer Electronics Association lists members including Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., LG Electronics Inc. and Sony Electronics Inc.