Low-power TV issue raises concerns over management, scarcity of mobile spectrum

The Bell Wireless Alliance, backed by its national association, has taken the unusual tact of intervening in a CRTC broadcast hearing in an effort to stop scarce spectrum from being used to deliver community television. The BWA and the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) say a better use of this resource would be to allocate it for mobile services. The two groups also worry that having the CRTC control these frequencies, rather than Industry Canada, would create a second layer of spectrum management and increase the level of bureaucracy. "It is essential that the federal government maintain a consistent and unified spectrum policy," the CWTA writes in its Oct. 30 response to Public Notice 2000-127. "That is the best way to maintain and enhance the competitiveness of Canada’s wireless industry, ensure harmonization of spectrum allocations internationally and minimize the level of uncertainty in the regulatory environment." Since spectrum regulation falls under the auspices of Industry Canada, the commission should continue its practice of deferring spectrum management activities to the department, both parties write. The wireless lobby also stresses the importance of maintaining a single focal point for spectrum management to ensure efficiency and harmonization. "The CWTA is concerned that the scope of this notice could establish a second layer of spectrum regulation for wireless service providers," the CWTA states. "Any increase in the level of uncertainty in the wireless industry stemming from additional resources has the potential to limit Canada’s competitiveness through reduced investment certainty and reduced incentives to innovate." The CRTC notice is seeking comment on a new policy framework for low-power community TV stations, which operate with 50 watts or less on the VHF band, or 500 watts or less on the UHF band. Their geographic reach is limited to 12 kilometres.Both the CWTA and the BWA maintain that other technologies operating above 2 GHz, such as MCS, could serve these TV stations. They also suggest that satellite, cable and Internet could also carry such a service in urban areas. Recognizing that there could be opposition to the proposed plan, the CRTC asked in its notice whether this would be an appropriate use of a public resource. There could be concern "especially during the transition phase from analog to digital transmission when each existing station may require the use of both its current analog over-the-air channel and a digital over-the-air channel," the commission writes in its Sept. 1 call for comments. The CWTA says the spectrum should be assigned for commercial uses. "Given the reduced availability of potential spectrum for low-power television due to the transition to DTV and the reallocation of Channels 60-69, and the necessity to maintain international alignment, it would be inappropriate to introduce new low-power broadcasters in Canadian urban markets at this time," the CWTA writes in its Oct. 30 intervention. Both parties stressed the importance of having harmonized spectrum policies with the U.S. to ensure Canada’s wireless industry remains competitive. The BWA points out that the Federal Communications Commission has already identified some of the spectrum in question to be used for mobile wireless once the transition from analog to digital is complete by 2006. The FCC plans to auction off this spectrum next March. "It is imperative, therefore, that Canada’s mobile spectrum allocations are aligned with those of other international jurisdictions and, most particularly, with those of the U.S.," the BWA writes. "Without such harmonization, benefits such as increased access to existing and enhanced services, reduced consumer costs, lower equipment and service costs, and competitiveness opportunities for Canadian service providers and manufacturers will not be fully realized, or indeed, may unintentionally be foreclosed."

Low-power TV issue raises concerns over management, scarcity of mobile spectrum

News | November 13, 2000

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