It boils down to this: Spectrum is a finite and valuable resource so it must be used efficiently. With more devices hitting the market that use even more spectrum, there is growing concern among some that eventually supply may not be able to keep up with demand.
To complicate matters, the highly-coveted UHF "beachfront property" spectrum that wireless providers want is already allocated and TV stations are using it to deliver new, free services to viewers. So the government finds itself in a precarious position of trying to balance the desires of companies and needs of consumers with its responsibility to appropriately manage the spectrum resource.
In 2010, the Federal Communications Commission unveiled a plan to increase the amount of spectrum available for wireless services. The plan specifically targeted the "beachfront property" spectrum that your local television stations have and that wireless companies want.
How?
One part of the FCC plan that received a lot of attention proposed spectrum auctions that would allow TV broadcasters to give up their channels and be compensated by sharing in some of the auction proceeds.
There was concern that stations that did not want to participate in the auctions could be forced to move to new channels or even share channels with other stations. This could have resulted in viewers losing some of their current channels and other services that they rely on each day – such as their local TV news, multicast channels and free, local TV on their smartphones.
As a result, in 2011, when Congress considered legislation that would provide the FCC with the ability to move forward with spectrum auctions, TV viewers across America voiced their concerns about the impact on their local TV stations.
How would this affect me?
As the government makes decisions about reallocating spectrum, America's broadcasters want to ensure that you do not lose access to your favorite TV channels and free services.
Whether you are one of the 46 million Americans that get all of your television for free with an antenna, or you subscribe to a monthly cable or satellite service, nearly everyone relies on broadcast television for entertainment, local and national news and emergency information.
It is our goal that you do not lose any of the channels you currently enjoy, and that you also do not lose access to all those free side channels that broadcasters are now offering – like healthy living, hyper-local and foreign language channels.
Your local TV stations have been investing in the future by using their spectrum to innovate and provide viewers with better services – whether it's free, local TV on your smartphone or, someday, free 3D television shows in your home.
As the federal government considers what do to with the airwaves, America's broadcasters will continue to advocate for viewers like you while we keep innovating to bring you the great content, news and community services on which you depend.
