2017 Spectrum Repack: Will Require
Broadcast / Wireless Industries Collaboration
T-Mobile – the nation’s Un-carrier – is Ready to Work with Texas Broadcasters
The Background
During 2016, the Federal Communications Commission is holding a two-part auction of broadcast television spectrum, so that more wireless
broadband spectrum is available to handle the massive — and exponentially growing — demand for next generation mobile connectivity.
When the auction is complete in late 2016 or 2017, television broadcasters, new licensees and the FCC will be engaged in a complex process of
moving broadcasters to different spectrum. This will allow new licensees (mainly wireless carriers) to make their newly acquired spectrum useable for
consumers as quickly as possible.
KNOW THE FCC’S MILESTONES:
90 Days after Public
Notice:
FCC establishes stations’
“initial allocation
account” of 90% or 80%
of estimated relocation
costs (non-commercial
stations are eligible for
90%)
Stations file construction
permit applications
End of FCC Broadcast
Auction (Date To Be
Determined)
1
Stations file estimated
relocation costs to the
FCC
2
Channel Reassignment
Public Notice (PN) issued
by FCC
3
4
FCC reviews estimated
relocation costs for
“reasonableness”
5
Between completion
of construction
and the end of the
reimbursement period,
stations will submit final
documentation of actual
expenses
Stations can request
additional allocations
6
Stations submit expense
documentation to FCC
for payments from “initial
allocation account”
7
8
End of reimbursement
period: All relocation
payments must be made
within three (3) years
of auction completion
(remember, the auction
completion is a Date To
Be Determined)
9
FCC will prioritize and
make final decisions
if there is a shortfall in
relocation funds
10
11
FCC’s Media Bureau will
review the final expense
documentation
HowMobileWorks.com/spectrum
2017 Spectrum Repack: Will Require Broadcast / Wireless Industries Collaboration
T-Mobile’s Track Record Comes with a Commitment
T-Mobile’s engineering and government affairs teams are knowledgeable and ready to work with
broadcasters after the FCC’s auction is complete. Our track record includes working on spectrum
clearing and concurrent operations with Channel 51 broadcasters. And, our experience tells us that
we can work closely with broadcasters should interference issues occur — several years ago we
succeeded at handling interference with electronic news gathering (ENG) technologies that used
Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS) spectrum.
There are two T-Mobile case studies that broadcast engineers should find useful at:
• http://howmobileworks.com/spectrum
“While there were some issues with coordination early on
in the process, T-Mobile takes (CFR 47, Part 27) extremely
seriously and has made consistent and comprehensive
efforts to work with our industry and ensure that they do not
interfere with our operations.”
Source: 2009 Progress Report from Television Broadcaster headquarted in Midwest
T-Mobile is still just as committed to working with broadcasters — and we are already taking
steps to build relationships with more broadcasters across the country. We are also pleased to
be new members of the Texas Association of Broadcasters.
Useful Resources
Here are several links to information that we have found to be informative.
We’re Here to Help: For
More Information
The T-Mobile team attending the Texas
Association of Broadcasters’ 2016
meeting includes:
MARK COMBS
Senior Manager / Engineering
Development
[email protected]
CHRIS WIECZOREK
Director / Government Affairs
[email protected]
KATIE MILLER
Broadcaster Outreach Manager /
Engineering Development
[email protected]
SCOTT HEWETT
T-Mobile Broadcast Consultant
[email protected]
A general overview of the FCC post-auction transition can be found at:
• https://www.fcc.gov/about-fcc/fcc-initiatives/incentive-auctions/post-auction-transition
The FCC’s first Report and Order is a comprehensive document (almost 500 pages) initially
published in 2014. Here’s what the Report and Order provides:
• https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-adopts-rules-first-ever-incentive-auction
• Post-Incentive Auction Transition starts at page 216 (paragraph 525)
• Discussion of relocation fund starts at page 246 (paragraph 598)
• Deadline for cost estimates addressed beginning on page 251 (paragraph 610)
The following link explains how the FCC’s initial allocation fund and draw-downs work for
broadcasters. It also includes the official reimbursement form and preliminary list of eligible
expenses:
• https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-15-1238A1.pdf
It is good to know, that some broadcaster costs incurred prior to the completion of the auction are
eligible for reimbursement:
• https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-16-47A1.pdf
This interview with Howard Symons of the FCC Incentive Auction Task Force, confirms the FCC’s
general regional repack approach:
• http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/95472/symons-fcc-focusing-on-tv-band-repack
HowMobileWorks.com/spectrum