Repacking Delays Worse in Phase 2, Say Broadcasters and Tower, Antenna Companies
Delays for repacking broadcasters worsened during Phase 2, representatives from tower companies, antenna manufacturers and broadcasters told the FCC Incentive Auction Task Force Jan. 31, they recounted. The meeting followed up on the representatives' concerns in October (see 1811160037). Repacking…
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delays were worse “primarily because of the unusually poor weather throughout the country that has put tower crews and riggers even further behind schedule than was expected last October,” they wrote, posted Friday. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai told the National Association of Tower Erectors last week the repacking is "ahead of schedule" (see 1902060037). Tower crews “are extremely concerned” about meeting commitments, “let alone taking the new orders” expected in 2019, the filing said. “There are insufficient competent, safe tower and rigging crews available to install the main antennas in accordance with the prescribed Commission repack schedule ... weather delays, permitting delays, and crew availability delays continue to hinder the repack process.” The IATF should increase outreach to broadcasters and increase flexibility on requests for special temporary authority and allowing interim facilities, participants said. A successful repacking could come down to either missing phase deadlines or letting broadcasters shift to temporary interim facilities that are ”less than ideal,” they said. The FCC didn't comment.