Cable industry pushes back on charges of spectrum hoarding

Earlier this week, the National Association of Broadcasters accused Time Warner Cable and other telecom firms of warehousing spectrum beyond their business needs. National Cable and Telecommunications Association Executive Vice President James Assey replied: "At least with respect to cable industry licensees implicated by these charges, the NAB's claim is flat wrong. It is nothing more than a finger-pointing exercise transparently designed to distract policymakers from the important task of evaluating national spectrum policy." Assey argued firms that purchase spectrum at auction and hold licenses are in compliance with the FCC's requirements and therefore not engaged in anything untoward. He noted that unlike the broadcasters, the wireless industry has had to pay billions of dollars to purchase their spectrum. "NAB's implied suggestion that the government — rather than even consider requiring greater efficiency from the broadcasters — should instead reclaim spectrum purchased at auction for billions of dollars and currently in full compliance with FCC rules, is patently absurd," Assey said.