NYC Opposes Repacking TV Stations Into Duplex Gap
New York City opposes repacking broadcasters into the duplex gap, said a letter to the FCC from Maya Wiley, counsel to Mayor Bill de Blasio, posted online Friday. “I am deeply concerned about the potential impact on New York City,…
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one of the media markets the Auction Task Force has indicated would most likely see a broadcaster placed in the duplex gap post auction,” Wiley said. The duplex gap should be preserved for unlicensed use and for wireless microphones to protect news teams' ability to cover breaking news in the city and the city's ability to host major sporting events like the Super Bowl, Wiley said. An impaired duplex gap could also discourage auction participation, Wiley said. “Having a common channel available for unlicensed users in every market nationwide -- especially in the country's largest market: New York City -- is essential to encourage private investment in the integrated Wi-Fi chips that will bring greatest value to smartphone users in urban areas,” the letter said. The FCC should follow the wishes of the “broad stakeholder consensus” and not repack TV stations into the gap, Wiley said.