The issues of broadcasters not looking forward to the second digital transition that would be prompted by the FCC's planned auction of much of their spectrum have been overtaken by a political battle over what to do with that reclaimed spectrum. This could push any decision that much further down the road. Most broadcasters, not surprisingly, continue to focus on how much spectrum they will be left to use for things such as mobile DTV, particularly after the announcement two weeks ago of their first wireless carrier deal, with MetroPCS. But the spectrum fight on the Hill has become a political power struggle over who should control the auction of that spectrum to wireless, the FCC or Congress. Having agreed to allocate, rather than auction, spectrum for an emergency broadband communications network, a concession that appeared ready to align the bill with a Senate version, the Republican-controlled House approved amendments to its version of the spectrum bill in December. The bill would prevent the FCC from applying conditions on the auctions related to who could bid, along with how the spectrum could be used. It also would set a timetable for first responders to give up their landline spectrum, which has opposition groups chaffing at the bill.
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