Google Vacant Channel Study a 'Work of Pure Fiction,' NAB Says

before the TV incentive auction formally started. “Google’s analysis is uninformed, careless and misleading,” NAB said. “Its conclusion is thus a work of pure fiction.” The FCC’s vacant channel proposal “when coupled with the already damaging effect the auction will have on TV translator and LPTV services, will harm viewers across the country,” NAB said in the letter. “As many as one-quarter of all UHF LPTV and translator stations in the U.S. may be unable to find new UHF channels following the auction.” NAB accused Google of looking for spectrum for free and questioned the timing of the report. “The Commission should be focused squarely on conducting a successful auction and preparing for a post-auction transition that will be unprecedented in its scope and logistical complexity; not on speculative and preferential giveaways to half-trillion dollar companies that have elected not to participate in the auction,” the broadcasters said. Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless Future Program at New America, fired back at NAB. “Even in the worst case scenario markets, Google’s results confirm that any adverse impact of preserving a vacant channel for unlicensed devices that benefit all Americans is extremely unlikely and minimal,” he said. “NAB’s claim that up to a quarter of secondary broadcasters could be displaced is ridiculous on its face, since today the vast majority of TV channels are not in use even in the largest metro markets.” Post-auction it is likely at least 30 channels will remain, “with many full power stations going off the airwaves,” he said. “A few speculators holding construction permits may not find a spot, but they were never going to serve their communities in any event.”