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June 30, 2004
Sounds vaguely familiar
This is from a recent John Kerry white paper:
Kerry's getting in front of this parade and waving the flag as if he's the leader. But it's better than the silence of the current
The Kerry plan will complete the transition to digital television, and accelerate the return of valuable spectrum that is currently being used for broadcasting the “analog” television signal, while ensuring that Americans continue to enjoy free, over-the-air television, including subsidies to ensure all Americans can make the transition. The plan will also provide shared access to unassigned TV channels where this will not interfere with television reception.
Posted by David Isenberg at June 30, 2004 12:11 PM
Correction.
Current Admin is certainly not silent.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/technology/economic_policy200404/chap4.html
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/press/2004/specpolini_06242004.htm
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/spectrumreform/execMemoMay2003.htm
Posted by: mike at July 1, 2004 11:26 AMSen. Kerry's proposal is more than vaguely familiar because his team incorporated it from proposals by advocates for reallocating the grossly underutilized TV bands from Broadcast to Unlicensed Broadband. Although many Open Spectrum advocates are disappointed that Kerry would continue auctions (specified in current law) we were gratified that Kerry endorsed both opening unassigned TV channels below 52 to unlicensed sharing (an idea now pending in the FCC's recent proposed rulemaking -- comments due Sept. 1) AND reallocating the 84 MHz freed up on Channels 52-69 for both unlicensed and (via auctions) licensed users (the remaining 24 is already designated for public safety).
New America's proposal along these lines - suggesting a consumer subsidy to facilitate pulling the plug on analog broadcasting - is available at: http://www.newamerica.net/Download_Docs/pdfs/Pub_File_1575_1.pdf
And my testimony on the proposal, at McCain's Senate DTV hearing June 9, is at:
http://www.newamerica.net/Download_Docs/pdfs/Doc_File_1608_1.pdf
Although Kerry's support is constructive, there is emerging bipartisan support for at least the DTV transition plan, including from the two GOP Commerce Committee chairmen (McCain and Barton).
//Michael Calabrese, VP, New America Foundation