[opendtv] Genachowski Dismisses Arguments Against Incentive Auctions
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 20:07:17 -0500
http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/118666
Genachowski Dismisses Arguments Against Incentive Auctions
04.12.2011.
LAS VEGAS: Around 400 people quickly packed a Hilton ballroom at 7:30 morning
as folks in the broadcast industry gathered to hear what the point-man on
spectrum reassignment had to say. Federal Communications Commission Chairman
Julius Genachowski went directly to the subject of incentive auctions in which
broadcasters would receive a cut of proceeds--the mechanism by which the FCC
intends to reassign the airwaves.
"This idea has strong momentum," he said.
The FCC needs Congressional authorization to hold incentive auctions. Bills
granting it are pending in the House and the Senate. If authorization is
obtained, Genachowski pledged to work closely to broadcasters on
implementation. While there would be legitimate issues to be addressed, he said
some of the arguments against incentive auctions amount to distractions.
"Some have argued there's no spectrum crunch, but the data couldn't be
clearer," he said. "There's no big swath of spectrum hidden in a warehouse
somewhere."
Broadcast interests have alleged as much--that cable and satellite companies
are warehousing spectrum. Genachowski said the licensing system requires those
who win spectrum to build it out.
"Some have argued incentive auctions will stop Mobile DTV. It will not," he
said. "Even if 120 MHz of the 294 allocated for broadcasting were freed up as a
result of an incentive auction, a healthy and robust broadcast system would
remain, and nothing would change the terms and use of a 6 MHz channel,
including Mobile DTV."
Some have argued for waiting to change the DTV transmission standard.
Genachowski said that was a separate issue. He dismissed charges that incentive
auctions would favor urban over rural markets.
"Incentive auctions will have little if any effect in rural America, because
spectrum supply is much less of an issue in less populated areas," he said.
As for broadcasters who elect not to participate in the auctions, they would be
compensated for the cost of moving to new channels. They would not, however, be
guaranteed the right to stay on a channel.
"This would not only be unprecedented, it would give any one broadcaster veto
power over the success of the auction," he said.
He reasoned that there would be minimal service disruptions for consumers
because the DTV transition allowed stations to move to new frequencies without
changing virtual channels.
Genachowski said he would be "straight and fair and focused on problem
solving," going forward. "I ask the same of you."
APPS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST
He reminded the audience that he once worked in the industry, launching TV
stations for USA Broadcasting.
"I do remember the challenges of being successful," he said. "These are hard
challenges. I've seen them first hand."
The chairman waxed on the evolution of the industry since his days in
broadcasting. He said the average American now spends more time online than
watching TV, and that 25 million folks are watching TV on their smartphones--up
40 percent from a year ago. Add to that tablet computers and you've got
yourself a "multiplatform world."
"I understand this world presents challenges to broadcasters," he said, "like
fragmenting audiences and multiple pressures on ad revenues."
Genachowski said he was "pleased" to see broadcasters embracing the
multiplatform ethos, particularly with Mobile DTV.
"We don't know what will work in the marketplace, but nothing we are
considering would or should interfere with market-based innovation around
Mobile DTV," he said.
He acknowledged other multiplatform strategies pursued by broadcasters,
including Univision's originals for the Web and mobile devices; ABC's early
iPad app, and the deployment of hyperlocal websites.
"I see this all as highly relevant to the public interest obligations
broadcasters have," he said.
The chairman noted how TV stations are a primary source of local news in
several markets, but that not all stations do news.
In quite a few markets, local TV station Web sites are the primary. Some cant'
afford it, he said, but the influences the way the industry's spectrum needs
are evaluated.
RETRANSMISSION REFORM RESISTENCE
On the retransmission front, Genachowski reminded that he resisted calls for
government intervention, but last fall's World Series black-out in New York
compelled commission action. A retransmission Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was
issued in March. The proceeding seeks feedback on the impact of retrans fees on
consumers, among other things.
"I look forward to input from all parties," he said. "Meanwhile, the FCC will
also look at whether there are regulatory barriers that can be reduced or
eliminated, or initiatives that should be considered, to support the efforts
broadcasters are making to reach the audience that's increasingly relying on
broadband-connected computers, smartphones and tablets."
One area of inquiry is audience measurement on digital platforms, and whether
or not the FCC can do anything to move it along, he said.
MORE MORE MORE SPECTRUM
Genachowski said that two years ago, few people were talking about broadband,
and that it's now considered essential to the economy. He said when the FCC
issued the National Broadband Plan a little over a year ago, mobile data
consumption projections predicted a 35x increase over five years. That was
before tablets computers, 55 million of which are expected to be sold this year.
"The growing demand is not going away," he said. "The result is a spectrum
crunch. . . The only thing that can address the growing overall demand for
mobile is increasing the overall supply of spectrum and the efficiency of its
use."
The FCC has already launched proceedings to explore spectrum efficiency,
sharing in secondary markets, eliminate restrictions on certain bands and other
such strategies to free up bandwidth. He said those still wouldn't be enough to
fulfill the demand for mobile broadband.
"I believe the single most important step that will drive our mobile economy
and address consumer frustration is authorizing voluntary incentive auctions."
~ Deborah D. McAdams
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