Administration budget seeks to link NTIA and FCC on spectrum project

President Barack Obama’s new budget proposal includes extending the FCC’s authority to auction spectrum “indefinitely,” according to Broadcasting & Cable. That move would free up space for wireless broadband carriers. The budget is looking for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the FCC to collaborate over 10 years “to make available significant spectrum suitable for both mobile and fixed wireless broadband use.” Many broadcasters say spectrum is not available, because it’s already being used for HDTV and muliticasting and mobile DTV. The FCC is undertaking a spectrum inventory this year, FCC Commissioner Michael Copps told the CPB Board of Directors at a meeting last week.