Spectrum Policy Luncheon on Capitol Hill: Broadcast to Broadband?
Berlin, Germany used a consumer subsidy to complete its broadcast DTV transition in only one year. Can the FCC's new plan finally unplug analog TV and put that spectrum to use for wireless broadband?
Event
Last August, Berlin completed its transition to terrestrial, over-the-air digital TV. From start to finish, Berlin's DTV transition took approximately 9 months. The most interesting feature of its transition plan was that instead of giving subsidies to complete the transition to broadcasters, they were given to consumers. Consumers dependent on broadcast TV were given a voucher so they could purchase digital-to-analog converter boxes allowing them to continue to watch broadcast TV on their analog TV sets.
In contrast, America's DTV transition began in 1997, and still there's no end in sight. While only 15% of U.S. households continue to rely on terrestrial, over-the-air broadcasting for their primary TV service, the U.S. has fallen to 11th in the world in broadband deployment. Both unlicensed and licensed (cellular) wireless broadband providers say these prime frequencies would greatly reduce the cost of high-speed broadband connections --boosting the nation towards an ultimate goal of pervasive connectivity.
Should Berlin be a model for the U.S. DTV transition? Is the FCC's "Ferree Plan" feasible? Is public broadcasting's Berlin-style plan the way Congress should go? Hans Hege, the chief regulator in Germany who negotiated and implemented the Berlin DTV transition, will tell us what exactly happened in Berlin. Ken Ferree, FCC Media Bureau Chief, will then describe the FCC's current DTV transition plan and explain why it differs from the Berlin model. A distinguished panel of broadcast policy experts and broadcasters will then discuss the merits of the Berlin plan - and their own alternative plans - followed by audience question and answer.
Location
Senate Commerce Committee Hearing Room
Russell Senate Office Building SR-253
Washington, DCSee map: Google Maps
Participants
- Hans Hege
Director, Medienanstalt Berlin-Brandenburg (MABB) - Kenneth Ferree
Chief, FCC Media Bureau - J.H. Snider
Research Director, New America Foundation - Thomas W Hazlett
Senior Fellow, Manhattan Institute for Policy Research - John Lawson
President and CEO, Association of Public Television Stations - Jim Goodmon
CEO and President, Capitol Broadcasting Company - Michael Calabrese
Vice President and Director, Wireless Future Program, New America Foundation