Published: TV Technology

Issue: 9/11/97



(SIDEBAR to Broadcasters Lose Spectrum in Budget Bill )



Budget Bill Reclaims Spectrum from UHF-TV Band



WASHINGTON--The  Balanced Budget Agreement of 1997 recently signed by the President 

calls for the reallocation of spectrum from the band currently occupied by UHF-TV channels 60 

to 69 (746 to 806 MHz) for use by public safety services and commercial licenses.  This proposal 

mirrors, and effectively puts into law, an FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) that was 

release on July 10, 1997.  

        

There are currently 95 full-service TV stations operating, or with approved construction permits, 

on the ten UHF channels.  The NPRM specifies that 24 MHz of spectrum (two 12 MHz sections) 

would be assigned to public safety,  while 36 MHz (two 18 MHz sections) would be set aside for 

the auction block. (see chart 1)

        

These proceedings also considered issues related to protecting existing and proposed TV 

stations on these channels from interference until the transition to DTV is complete.  But they 

deferred specific interference protection standards until a later proceeding on the matter.

        

The "secondary status" assigned to low-power television (LPTV) stations remains unchanged.  

The FCC cites that "there is insufficient spectrum to preserve all existing LPTV and TV translator 

stations" within the proposed DTV band.

        

The NPRM cites "an urgent need for additional spectrum to meet important public safety" 

requirements for voice and data communications as the reason for this reassignment.  The 

additional spectrum would "provide for improved interoperability between public safety 

agencies."   

        

All proceeds derived from the auctioning of the 36 MHz slice of spectrum have been earmarked 

for offsetting the national debt.  The bill is expected to generate an estimated $26.3 billion in 

revenues from the sale of 

several sections of the broadcast spectrum.

        

It is unclear at this time how the January 1, 1998 deadline set by both the Commission and the 

budget bill might be implemented.  The budget bill also calls for the assignment of public safety 

channels by March 31, 

1998 and a commencement of the auction by January 1, 2001.  Congress expects to have the 

competitive bidding process completed by September 30, 2002