CEA President Gary Shapiro says NAB CEO Gordon Smith should refrain from his public statements about the FCC's proposed spectrum auction, calling them "inconsistent with the goals of Congress."
Shapiro Chides Smith Over Auction Remarks
Consumer Electronics Association President Gary Shapiro scolded NAB President Gordon Smith today for “discouraging” TV stations from wanting to participate in the FCC’s planned incentive auction of TV spectrum.
“Recent statements discouraging participation in and support of these auctions are not only inconsistent with the goals of Congress, but also are not helpful to competition necessary for a successful and competitive auction,” said Shapiro in an open letter to his counterpart in broadcasting.
“You noted in your NAB keynote that you ‘don’t envy the commission its job; implementation of the legislation is daunting and will take years to complete,’ which isn’t a ringing endorsement of the upcoming auctions.
“Nor are statements to press that ‘we’ve heard no hooves of a stampede. I find our members excited about their business, their futures and anxious to hold on to their spectrum.’ ”
Earlier this year, Congress authorized the FCC to conduct an auction of any spectrum that TV stations voluntarily make available and to share the proceeds with those broadcasters.
Like the FCC, Shapiro hopes that the auction will result in the reallocation of a large part of the TV band to wireless broadband service where, they feel, it will be put to better and more efficient use.
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Shapiro also reminded Smith that broadcasters don’t own their spectrum. “Congress was extraordinarily generous in allowing broadcasters to be compensated for these limited duration licenses should they choose to offer them for auction.”
NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton dismissed Shapiro’s complaint. “NAB supported the voluntary incentive auction legislation passed by Congress and looks forward to working with the FCC and Congress to implement the bill.”
Comments (5)
len Kubas says:
May 1, 2012 at 12:50 pm
well, then it’s clear for all to see: the motives of the CEA and Mr. Shapiro are “inconsistent with the will of the people.”
Ellen Samrock says:
May 1, 2012 at 2:01 pm
You have to laugh at Shapiro’s wackiness. Gordon Smith is simply doing the job he was hired to do; promote broadcasting and the interests of those in the business of broadcasting. Plus Smith’s remarks accurately reflect what most of us in the industry are also hearing; that the vast majority of station owners are NOT interested in participating in the FCC’s bait and switch auction. If anything, they are fully committed to expanding their diginet offerings and mobile DTV and making the most of their allotted spectrum. Contrary to Shapiro’s and Genachowski’s apparent assumption, broadcasters are not dumb. They know a good deal when they see it, and they know a dead skunk like spectrum auctions when they smell it. They really don’t need Gordon Smith to explain the difference. And while Shapiro and his ilk are fond of reminding broadcasters that they don’t own their spectrum; the question should be asked, do the wireless carriers know it? Because they sure as hell don’t act like it.
Gregg Palermo says:
May 1, 2012 at 4:15 pm
Doing the job your hired to do does not absolve you of “dolng the right thing” — which in this case is NOT protecting precious spectrum that is wholly unused by 92% of TV viewers (regardless of how they might use it, or how maybe one frequency per market might remain for emergency use).
Gregg Palermo says:
May 1, 2012 at 4:15 pm
*you’re
len Kubas says:
May 1, 2012 at 4:18 pm
so, by my calculation, all cellular spectrum is unused by 99.99% of the population at any time. I just love you one-note unthinking, (incapable of critical thinking) johnnies. Pay per the minute for tv: what a concept!