TIA calls for 700 MHz ultimatum

The Telecommunications Industry Association today petitioned Congress to set a definite Dec. 31, 2006, deadline for broadcasters to vacate the 700 MHz band. In a policy statement issued today, TIA said that delays in clearing the valuable spectrum is hampering new broadband wireless technological innovation and setting back public safety efforts.

The 108 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band has been earmarked for commercial and public safety use, but the spectrum is currently occupied by TV broadcasters. Current law requires that those broadcasters mover into new digital TV bands, where new broadcasting technology greatly enhances spectral efficiency. Though Congress set a Dec. 31, 2006, deadline already, there was one caveat: If 85% of the households in any given market do not have digital televisions by that date, the broadcasters can delay their transition until that benchmark is reached. Most industry observers agree that it will take decades to meet the 85% requirement, leaving broadcasters free and clear to occupy the bands for years.

TIA, however, is seeking to jump start the process by eliminating the 85% DTV provision and make the last day of 2006 the deadline to complete the transition. Such an action would cause mayhem in the broadcasting community, but it would also accelerate the digital TV industry, forcing broadcasters to quickly upgrade their networks and manufacturers to push digital TVs and digital-to-analog converters on the market.

TIA maintains, however, that the advantages to public under such an ultimatum would be far greater. It specifically pointed to the 24 MHz of spectrum allocated for public safety use, which TIA said is needed for critical communications in dense urban areas.

“The importance of this spectrum reclamation is greatest in major metropolitan areas, where the threat against our citizens is greatest and where spectrum shortages are most severe,” the policy paper stated. “The FCC has already adopted a TIA standard for interoperable communications for much of the spectrum designated for public safety use in this band. However, fully standardized, interoperable solutions cannot be deployed in areas where it is needed most until the DTV transition is complete.”

Furthermore, TIA said that deployment of broadband services is being held back by the cloudiness surrounding the spectrum. Carriers that have already won 700 MHz licenses can’t launch services. Further spectrum auctions are being delayed. And vendors developing wireless communications equipment for those frequencies are backing off from their plans until they know there will be a market for their products, the TIA said.