Let TV Stations Lease Their Own Spectrum

[Commentary] The National Broadband Plan envisions greatly expanded wireless broadband capability to promote economic growth. The problem with the plan is that it proposes to accomplish this by repurposing 120 MHz from television broadcasters, who understandably have reacted with shock and indignation.

However, broadcasters could turn this assault into potentially attractive new business models by becoming interactive, wireless broadband service providers. Simply put, if the broadcast spectrum is repurposed to broadband, broadcasters are best situated to make that transition. Although broadcasters, as mobile broadband providers, may present new competitive possibilities to existing mobile providers, they might also present themselves as potential business partners to providers in need of expanded spectrum. It would require rulemaking, but no legislation. This solution also provides an appropriate market mechanism that would signal the best economic use of the spectrum while also preserving over-the-air broadcasting services. Nothing in the plan forecloses broadcasters from developing — alone or in partnership with others — and providing flexible broadband services. The FCC should provide the means for broadcasters to make this change, rather than making the assumption that broadcasters are not up to the task.