T-Mobile Offers Alternative Plan for Broadcaster Repacking After Incentive Auction
T-Mobile proposed the FCC divide the U.S. into eight regions for broadcaster repacking after the TV incentive auction. T-Mobile, widely expected to be a major player in the 600 MHz auction, has said broadcasters should be able to complete the repacking within the 39 months mandated by the FCC and also within the $1.75 billion budget established by Congress (see 1602180063). The latest proposal offers what the carrier sees as a way forward to meet the 39-month deadline.
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NAB, which has asked the FCC to rethink the deadline (see 1602250038), raised potential concerns. “NAB intends to evaluate T-Mobile’s proposal,” a spokesman said. “It’s disappointing that T-Mobile has elected not to preview any of its thoughts and findings with anyone but the FCC given that an effective repacking will require industry collaboration.” The FCC didn't comment Friday.
Steve Sharkey, T-Mobile chief-engineering and technology policy, presented the plan to a host of FCC officials Tuesday, including Gary Epstein, chairman of the FCC Incentive Auction Task Force, said a filing posted Friday in docket 14-252.
The proposal “divides the U.S. into eight regions and commences parallel efforts of repacking and clearing within each region,” T-Mobile said. Preparatory work would occur in multiple locations across each region, T-Mobile said. “However, complete relocations might occur first in the corners of each region, where relocation may prove less complex,” the carrier said. “This approach would permit a rapid transition, incorporate a mix of urban and rural markets and allow participants to conclude market transitions in less congested areas while continuing to make progress elsewhere.”
Slides filed by T-Mobile on the meeting say there's “no perfect solution” to repacking, “but some approaches are better than others.” Under the plan, “when broadcasters are ready to transition, it is more likely that they can actually have access to their new channel,” the carrier said. The T-Mobile plan “starts at less dense markets, while also seeking to clear easier major markets (South Florida, Minneapolis, San Antonio),” it said. It allows more difficult markets like New York and San Francisco “to start planning and permitting at the beginning of the clearing process,” T-Mobile said.
“CCA is continuing to work with our members to ensure that broadcaster repacking can happen on schedule and in line with the Congressional statute, FCC orders” and other considerations, the Competitive Carriers Association said in response.