http://www.tvtechnology.com/news/0002/tmobile-to-foot-repack-cost-for-displaced-public-lptvs/281314
T-Mobile to Foot Repack Cost for Displaced Public LPTVs
June 29, 2017
Posted by Deborah D. McAdams
WASHINGTON- T-Mobile has committed to covering the costs for local public TV
low-power facilities required to relocate to new channels in the post-incentive
auction repack, according to PBS and Americas Public TV Stations.
The pair said coverage for as many as "38 million Americans" would potentially
be affected by the displaced operations, though they did not provide specifics,
nor is it clear the T-Mobile support comprises all affected public low-power TV
operations, or just those displaced by T-Mobile's desire to light up the
spectrum it won at auction as soon as possible. (TV Technology has queries
pending and will update as information is made available, but one source
indicated that the agreement covers all affected public low-power TV
operations.)
Update, 3:41 p.m. ET: According to an APTS spokeswoman, "There are 384
translators (Update, 8:03 p.m. ET: both public TV and commercial ) in 33 states
serving nearly 38 million people over-the-air being repacked and covered under
the T-Mobile grant. Of the total, roughly 39 translators are in the
'commencement of operations' phase beginning late fall."
T-Mobile was the top spender in the incentive auction, taking home nearly $8
billion in airwaves.
The federal legislation establishing the spectrum incentive auction excluded
low-power broadcast facilities and translators form the $1.75 billion fund to
reimburse moving costs for displaced stations. Translators essential for
extending the reach of TV broadcast signals deep into sparsely populated
regions, namely, rural America. As a result, PBS and APTS said, as many as 38
million Americans in rural communities were at risk of losing free over-the-air
access to public television programming and services.
APTS and PBS said the project also means more better broadband in underserved
areas as T-Mobile lights up its extended network.
Statements abounded:
PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger: "Public broadcasting has been one of
America's greatest and most enduring public-private partnership. We are
thrilled that T-Mobile sees the value that public broadcasting brings to the
American people and is helping to ensure that everyone-regardless of income or
zip code-continues to have access to PBS, including vital emergency alerts and
programs that help prepare children for success in school."
APTS President and CEO Patrick Butler: "As the post-auction repacking process
moves forward, local public television stations are committed to ensuring that
all Americans continue to have free over-the-air access to the local content
and services on which our viewers and their communities depend. America's
Public Television Stations are very pleased that this initiative with T-Mobile
will help address one of the most significant repacking challenges that local
public television stations face by providing needed funding to relocate
translator facilities that enable us to provide essential services in
education, public safety and civic leadership to the most rural and remote
parts of the country."
Neville Ray, chief technology officer of T-Mobile: "We're proud to collaborate
with broadcasters across the country as they transition to other channels, and
doubly proud to support local public television's public service mission and
help ensure millions of kids in rural America continue to have access to public
television's high-quality, educational programming. Moves like this will help
us expand our network into these underserved areas and give consumers a new
level of wireless coverage and choice."
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai: "I commend PBS, APTS, and T-Mobile for developing a
creative solution to assist millions of TV viewers during the post-incentive
auction transition. The financial assistance provided by T-Mobile will help the
many Americans who rely on public television, especially in rural areas. It
will also help expand wireless connectivity in rural America. Today's
announcement is precisely the kind of cross-industry cooperation we need to
ensure a smooth transition for broadcasters, wireless providers, and American
consumers."
National Association of Broadcasters Executive Vice President of Communications
Dennis Wharton: "We are gratified to see T-Mobile embrace the principle that
viewers should not lose service during the repack. We will continue to work to
ensure that viewers are protected during the post-auction transition."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways:
- Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at
FreeLists.org
- By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word
unsubscribe in the subject line.