• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Electrical Engineering News and Products

Electronics Engineering Resources, Articles, Forums, Tear Down Videos and Technical Electronics How-To's

  • Products / Components
    • Analog ICs
    • Battery Power
    • Connectors
    • Microcontrollers
    • Power Electronics
    • Sensors
    • Test and Measurement
    • Wire / Cable
  • Applications
    • 5G
    • Automotive/Transportation
    • EV Engineering
    • Industrial
    • IoT
    • Medical
    • Telecommunications
    • Wearables
    • Wireless
  • Learn
    • eBooks / Handbooks
    • EE Training Days
    • Tutorials
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Webinars & Digital Events
  • Resources
    • White Papers
    • Educational Assets
    • Design Guide Library
    • Digital Issues
    • Engineering Diversity & Inclusion
    • LEAP Awards
    • Podcasts
    • DesignFast
  • Videos
    • EE Videos and Interviews
    • Teardown Videos
  • EE Forums
    • EDABoard.com
    • Electro-Tech-Online.com
  • Bill’s Blogs
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

FCC chief defends spectrum auctions at NAB

April 17, 2012 By Maisie Ramsay, Wireless Week

The head of the FCC tried to convince broadcasters to sell off their spectrum in voluntary auctions during a speech yesterday at the National Association of Broadcaster’s annual conference in Las Vegas.

Chairman Julius Genachowski told attendees that selling off their spectrum through the auctions “presents an unprecedented opportunity … to improve their financial position.”

“Don’t be afraid to be interested in incentive auctions,” Genachowski said in a copy of his prepared remarks.

He argued that broadcasters could get a “sizeable cash infusion” for selling off their airwaves and could share a channel or move to VHF if they chose to stay on the air.

As with the wireless industry, spectrum is the lifeblood of broadcasters – without it, they cannot operate. However, some television stations are struggling to remain profitable amid competition from audience-eroding online content. For them, selling off their spectrum assets could provide a viable exit from the business.

The broadcast show was a tough crowd for Genachowski, whose plans to sell off more television spectrum were deeply unpopular with the broadcast industry when they were initially announced.

In his own keynote address, NAB CEO Gordon Smith voiced suspicion about the wireless industry’s long-term objectives for gleaning additional airwaves from television broadcasters. Smith did not encourage NAB members to participate in the auctions, instead warning them of further encroachment by mobile operators.

“Recent press reports quote the telecommunications industry saying the spectrum legislation passed by Congress is only the beginning – a “down payment” of what they’re seeking in terms of access to the airwaves,” he said in his prepared remarks. “They want us out of this game. We can’t let down our guard.”

Broadcasters were wary of selling off additional airwaves so soon on the heels of the transition to digital television and pushed hard to ensure the auctions were completely voluntary.

Even though legislation authorizing the auctions codified their voluntary nature, the television industry has remained reticent to sell off their spectrum, sparking concerns that the incentive auctions won’t free up the amount the FCC was hoping for to address the bandwidth shortage facing wireless operators.

The agency has pledged to open 500 MHz for mobile broadband, with a substantial portion of that coming from broadcasters.

You Might Also Like

Filed Under: Telecommunications

Primary Sidebar

EE Engineering Training Days

engineering

Featured Contributions

zonal architecture

Addressing zonal architecture challenges in the automotive industry

zonal architecture

Addressing zonal architecture challenges in the automotive industry

A2L refrigerants drive thermal drift concerns in HVAC systems

Why outdoor charging demands specialized battery connectors

How Li-ion batteries are powering the shift in off-highway equipment

More Featured Contributions

EE Tech Toolbox

“ee
Tech Toolbox: 5G Technology
This Tech Toolbox covers the basics of 5G technology plus a story about how engineers designed and built a prototype DSL router mostly from old cellphone parts. Download this first 5G/wired/wireless communications Tech Toolbox to learn more!

EE Learning Center

EE Learning Center
“ee
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for EE professionals.
“bills
contribute

R&D World Podcasts

R&D 100 Episode 10
See More >

Sponsored Content

Designing for Serviceability: The Role of Interconnects in HVAC Maintenance

From Control Boards to Comfort: How Signal Integrity Drives HVAC Innovation

Built to Withstand: Sealing and Thermal Protection in HVAC Sub-Systems

Revolutionizing Manufacturing with Smart Factories

Smarter HVAC Starts at the Sub-System Level

Empowering aerospace E/E design and innovation through Siemens Xcelerator and Capital in the Cloud

More Sponsored Content >>

RSS Current EDABoard.com discussions

  • Can I use TLV75533PDBVR for powering ADC
  • Step Up Push Pull Transformer design / construction
  • connector model question
  • SMPS feedback circuit
  • Snooping Around is All

RSS Current Electro-Tech-Online.com Discussions

  • More fun with ws2812 this time XC8 and CLC
  • Pic18f25q10 osccon1 settings swordfish basic
  • Pickit 5
  • turbo jet fan - feedback appreciated.
  • I Wanna build a robot
Search Millions of Parts from Thousands of Suppliers.

Search Now!
design fast globle

Footer

EE World Online

EE WORLD ONLINE NETWORK

  • 5G Technology World
  • Analog IC Tips
  • Battery Power Tips
  • Connector Tips
  • DesignFast
  • EDABoard Forums
  • Electro-Tech-Online Forums
  • Engineer's Garage
  • EV Engineering
  • Microcontroller Tips
  • Power Electronic Tips
  • Sensor Tips
  • Test and Measurement Tips

EE WORLD ONLINE

  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Teardown Videos
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
  • About Us

Copyright © 2025 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media.

Privacy Policy