Protecting the future
Sep 30, 2011 3:48 PM, By Ned Soseman
In terms of RF spectrum, the broadcast industry has been relatively stable. Other than digital modulation, the AM, FM and TV spectrum didn’t change much until 1952, when the FCC added 420MHz of UHF spectrum, known as channels 14 thru 83. Until then, the band was reserved for military use, primarily radar.
In 1983, the FCC removed an 84MHz block of virtually unused UHF channels from 70 thru 83 from the TV broadcast band. These channels were reserved for TV translators, and only about 20 translators in this block were ever licensed.
The FCC has selected bands that may or may not be auctioned.
About 25 years later, 95MHz of the 700MHz spectrum containing UHF channels 52 thru 69 was divided into five blocks, auctioned in what is known as Auction 73 in 2008 and abandoned by broadcasters in 2009. It concluded by issuing 1091 licenses and raising a total of $19 billion in winning bids. This is the result of spectrum released by the transition to DTV, also known as the digital dividend. We don’t specifically know where that $19x1010 digital dividend went, and within the context of broadcast engineering, that issue is not relevant. What is relevant is how the spectrum dividend is administrated and its potential effects on DTV transmission and reception in the future.
Oh, they would never do that
Until recently, the FCC guarded the domestic RF spectrum like the U.S. Army guards the gold reserve at Ft. Knox. Unfortunately, the FCC has transformed the RF spectrum from national treasure to a profitable commodity and political piñata, still to be treasured because of its power and worth.
In terms of RF spectrum, the broadcast industry has been relatively stable. Other than digital modulation, the AM, FM and TV spectrum didn’t change much until 1952, when the FCC added 420MHz of UHF spectrum, known as channels 14 thru 83. Until then, the band was reserved for military use, primarily radar.
In 1983, the FCC removed an 84MHz block of virtually unused UHF channels from 70 thru 83 from the TV broadcast band. These channels were reserved for TV translators, and only about 20 translators in this block were ever licensed.
About 25 years later, 95MHz of the 700MHz spectrum containing UHF channels 52 thru 69 was divided into five blocks, auctioned in what is known as Auction 73 in 2008 and abandoned by broadcasters in 2009. It concluded by issuing 1091 licenses and raising a total of $19 billion in winning bids. This is the result of spectrum released by the transition to DTV, also known as the digital dividend. We don’t specifically know where that $19x1010 digital dividend went, and within the context of broadcast engineering, that issue is not relevant. What is relevant is how the spectrum dividend is administrated and its potential effects on DTV transmission and reception in the future.
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