The FCC Incentive Auction Task Force released preliminary data on...

Monday. “The material being released represents the results of a staff analysis of whether a television station could be assigned to particular channels in the incentive auction repacking process, consistent with statutory and other requirements, based on certain preliminary assumptions,” it said. The information includes supporting data for determining the coverage area and population served of each station and “descriptions of how one could pre-calculate which stations could be assigned to which channels in the repacking process, and which stations cannot operate on the same channels or adjacent channels” because of their locations, said the notice. “As directed by Congress, the FCC will ensure this process makes all reasonable efforts to preserve the coverage area and population served of each broadcast television licensee,” said a commission spokesman. The released data is the first of what the notice said will be several releases of information on the repacking, including “details about how bids will be selected, how channels will be assigned, and algorithms for carrying out these and other elements of the repacking process” that will “be made public in the coming months.” “T-Mobile appreciates the FCC moving forward on the broadcast incentive auction by providing important information related to repacking for broadcasters -- a key component for maximizing the amount of spectrum available and making the 600 MHz incentive auction a robust opportunity for wireless broadband,” said T-Mobile Vice President Kathleen Ham. “We look forward to reviewing their proposals and commenting in the weeks ahead."