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Last updated: Thursday, December 17, 2009

The Federal Communications Commission revealed broad outlines Wednesday for the national broadband plan it is scheduled to submit to Congress early next year. One of the major challenges is to more effectively use the nation’s existing telecommunication assets — including the available wireless spectrum, which is facing impending shortages — according to a report from the FCC’s broadband task force. The pressure is on because the clock is ticking down to release the final plan to Congress on Feb. 17, noted FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. “But the cause of universal, affordable broadband is worthy of this Herculean effort,” he said. “We believe that broadband is a critical infrastructure challenge of our generation.” Addressing the Spectrum Gap Demand for wireless broadband service will soon exceed the supply of spectrum, according to the FCC. The problem is that it takes a long time to address spectrum gaps, which means the commission must start now, the task force said. “A large, new spectrum allocation is essential to improving broadband competition,” the task force wrote. “The country should review spectrum allocations and management practices periodically going forward to ensure the most productive use of this national asset.” The FCC said it’s moving to resolve pending regulatory proceedings governing the use of frequencies already allocated for advanced wireless services (2155-2175 MHz) and other wireless communications services (2305-2320 MHz and 2345-2360 MHz). The task force also also recommended developing tools to better manage and monitor the nation’s wireless spectrum. More controversial proposals from the task force include providing broadband operators with access to the white space between channels in the TV spectrum and making use of TV frequencies to simultaneously maintain over-the-air television broadcasts. However, the broadcasting industry is adamantly opposed to sharing or relinquishing any spectrum to broadband providers. National Association of Broadcasters CEO Gordon Smith said there is sufficient…

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National Broadband Plan Sees a Need for More Spectrum

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