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700 MHz Band Allocation In response to calls from public safety officials and threats of Congressional action, on Dec. 31, 1997 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) assigned an additional 24 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band exclusively to public safety. Now, the frequencies are still not generally available to public safety, since they continue to be blocked by TV broadcasters in most metro areas. At the time of the FCC's action, the frequencies were assigned to the UHF-TV service, and in most major metro areas the frequencies were actually in-use by broadcasters. Coincidentally, when the FCC allocated the spectrum to public safety, work was underway on the long and complex process of converting the nation's TV broadcasters from analog to digital transmissions. As part of this effort, the FCC used the UHF band to "park" stations while they moved from lower-band frequencies. The step-by-step, analog-to-digital process was anticipated to conclude around 2006, when the FCC anticipated the 85% of TV viewers would have purchased digital-capable sets. In fact, the FCC made the 2006 deadline contingent upon 85% of consumers converting to digital sets. By 2004 it was obvious that the sales and conversion rate for digital TV sets was going slowly. Although cable viewers composed 85% of the TV audience, broadcasters told Congress they didn't want to make a forced move to digital, leaving 17 million to 21 million persons with no capability to view their over-the-air programming--and their advertising. Several Senators introduced bills, including one that prohibited the FCC from delaying the transition process, and others to make 2006 a "hard" deadline. But with very effective lobbying, debate continued through 2005. Broacasters proposed that Congress fund subsidies for low-income families to purchase digital converters for their analog sets.
All the while, APCO and other public safety groups advocated a quicker transition to digital, thereby freeing up the 700 MHz band allocation sooner. Finally, in August 2005 the National Association of Broadcasters told Congress they would not object to federal regulations requiring a firm conversion deadline in 2009, seemingly ending the long debate. In the meantime, a very few areas of the country were able to use the 700 MHz band allocation. However, the agencies that needed it most--those in congested metro areas--were the very same areas where UHF stations were still operating in the band. [maps showing blocked/available regions] In early 2008 the FCC began a public education program to move consumers to digital TVs, or to buy converters for their analog TV sets. In the meantime, public safety agencies are waiting for the UHF band to be freed up. It's not clear exactly how many agencies will eventually jump into the FCC's 25 MHz allotment once its becomes available. Resources
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