NAB Says Microsoft White Spaces Proposal Would Cost Broadcasters
NAB said Microsoft’s blank channel proposal will cost broadcasters. Microsoft is seeking rules that would allow launching rural broadband using TV white spaces spectrum (see 1707100042). “Broadcasters don’t have any problem with letting Microsoft use truly vacant channels, provided that…
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broadcasters don’t permanently cede their rights to build on those channels in the process,” wrote Alison Neplokh, vice president-spectrum policy, Tuesday. “Microsoft’s ask is not about using vacant channels, it’s about creating vacant channels.” The FCC would in the plan require that before broadcasters make any changes to their existing licenses, they first ask whether there would still be at least one channel available for unlicensed use throughout their service area, she said. “The only way this creates extra space for unlicensed use is by denying a broadcaster a channel,” Neplokh wrote. “Broadcasters would have to hold open a channel, even if nobody has any interest in using it. Whether it’s that the particular market in question has no demand for white spaces or that the whole white spaces idea is never successful, broadcasters can’t retain or expand broadcast service, because it would violate Microsoft’s proposed rule.” Then-Chairman Tom Wheeler circulated an NPRM in June 2015 that would guarantee a white space channel in every market (see 1506160043). Microsoft didn't comment.