TV stations forced by the Incentive Auction/spectrum repack process to modify their facilities will be entitled to reimbursement of their reasonable repacking-related costs. In 2014, the commission hired Widelity Inc. to come up with a standardized catalog of likely costs. The commission later asked Widelity to take a look at the original list and come up with a number of suggested changes. Now, the FCC is looking for more input from the public.
Among the many commenters on the spectrum repack proposals submitted to the FCC are ones from broadcasters, engineers and tower and equipment firms that feel the proposed timeline is inadequate. Also filing are DirecTV and Dish Network, which expressed satisfaction with the report as it is.
The NAB and equipment manufacturer GatesAir tell the FCC in comments that the 39 months the FCC is considering giving broadcasters to complete the spectrum repack following next year’s incentive auction is not enough time. In addition, other concerns include how the agency will approach the reimbursement of expenses incurred by stations required to change channels.
