Digital TV Finally Arrives, Frees up Spectrum

Nearly 12 years after the FCC allocated 24 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band to public safety, the frequencies will become available for assignment to individual agencies as UHF television stations unplug their analog transmitters this Friday. The long transition was pushed back several times by Congressional and FCC debate, and TV broadcaster fears that analog viewers would be left staring at a black screen. In the meantime, valuable 700 MHz frequencies were locked up by UHF TV stations in most urban areas of the country, where radio congestion is the most common, and new radio channels are need most urgently. It’s not clear how quickly agencies could begin applying for the frequencies or begin using them. Check maps of the original 700 MHz black-out zones.