NAB: CTIA Request Threatens Public Safety

The pending spectrum incentive auction is more than a year away, but the wireless industry is already looking to score some broadcast auxiliary services (BAS) band spectrum.

In a letter to the FCC Wednesday, Steve Largent, president-CEO of CTIA, asked the commission to consider spectrum from the BAS for commercial reallocation. “This spectrum band is below 3 GHz, is contiguous and adjacent to current allocations, and would allow pairing in a readily achievable fashion. CTIA is not aware of any other spectrum bands as well-positioned as this band to meet all the key principles for mobile broadband spectrum that could be paired with the specific 15 MHz identified by NTIA.

“The wireless industry is at a critical crossroads — the long warned spectrum shortage is at an inflection point. The commission, working together with NTIA, has a historic opportunity to step forward and respond to this looming spectrum crisis in an effective, expeditious manner.”

BAS is spectrum used for electronic newsgathering, commonly used in microwave trucks.

The National Association of Broadcasters called the wireless industry’s request a threat to public safety. “If CTIA’s request were not such a serious threat to public safety, it would be amusing,” NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton, said in a statement. “Every day, local TV stations use broadcast auxiliary spectrum to provide breaking coverage of devastating storms, tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires. If Superstorm Sandy demonstrated anything, it is that broadcast television serves as a lifeline in times of emergency, where cell phone/wireless architecture has failed.

“Just a few years after broadcasters returned 108 MHz and one-third of our BAS spectrum for wireless purposes — and just one day after comments were filed on incentive auctions to repurpose more TV airwaves to wireless — CTIA is demanding even more spectrum from broadcasters. NAB will work with the FCC to identify appropriate spectrum that meets the requirements of the statue without jeopardizing the safety of the American public.”

In reply comments filed Tuesday with the FCC about the incentive auction, the NAB called the commission’s approach “unnecessarily complex” and unrealistic.