[opendtv] Re: Commentary: Be Wary Of FCC's Cash-For-Spectrum Plan
- From: Tom Barry <trbarry@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:49:27 -0500
Manfredi, Albert E wrote:
> ...
> 6. I don't think many of these articles are very instructive about how well
> or poorly the TV spectrum is used. They just make the point that it's not
> efficiently used, and everyone is expected to nod their heads and to conclude
> that "ATSC is flawed." (These are the "head nodders" I allude to sometimes.)
> So let's use the cell phone concept, even though small cells are primarily
> used to deploy an efficient two-service, and would NOT be used to deploy an
> efficient broadcast service.
>
One of the advantages of the spectrum buyout is that nobody really has
to fall on their sword because ATSC is flawed. We can just say the
world has changed and it is no longer needed as much as mobile 2-way
services.
Much of the justification for the entire transition was the possibility
of OTA HDTV. Yet I would wager that in any given entire month period
now far less than 1 in 10 households actually use an antenna to watch
any OTA HDTV program on an HDTV display. Small bathroom and kitchen
TV's with rabbit ears have little use for HD. So there is no longer
much point to use that much spectrum for it. The local broadcasters
know this and would probably be willing to deal if the terms were right.
> It certainly is possible to deploy a large number of very low power
> translators, using ATSC or DVB-T. Done. That would potentially make reception
> much easier, would require many more towers than now, and if reception is to
> be easier for the vast majority of people, it would also create a higher RF
> power density environment on average. It would allow for more spectrum reuse
> in a given area. But that also costs a whole lot more for the broadcasters to
> support, most likely creating the need for a subscription service.
>
HDTV or any fixed location TV reception in this country has already
decisively gone to cable and satellite. The advantage of OTA now is
really disconnected mobile. And given the other broadband needs we
might as well just do that over 2 way IP services. Those services
could even be designed with multicast if anybody cared but that part is
not really needed.
The point is that the guy on the bus next to you is already going to be
carrying a cell phone/computer broadcasting RF at you anyway. That
part won't change. It is inevitable. The question and addition is
whether we need to overlay the spectrum with lots of other towers and
signals just for broadcast TV channels that cell phone device can
already receive if allowed. Is it worth it?
- Tom
> Bert
>
>
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