Broadcasters still wary of “voluntary” spectrum giveback

TV execs weren’t very reassured after FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski’s speech to the National Association of Broadcasters last week in Las Vegas, reports Broadcasting & Cable. Most are still concerned about a voluntary giveback of broadcast spectrum for the growing mobile-device market. Although the chairman has stressed that any spectrum reallocation wouldn’t be mandatory, NAB President Gordon Smith read in his keynote address from the FCC’s National Broadband Plan: “The government’s ability to reclaim, clear and re-auction spectrum is the ultimate backstop against market failure and is an appropriate tool when a voluntary process stalls entirely.” According to the plan, a trust fund created by proceeds from public broadcasting spectrum givebacks would be available to pubcasters that participate (Current, Feb. 8, 2010).