Broadcast, Cable to FCC: C-Band Sharing Needs More Study

[TheTechGuru]

Ran across some C-Band news...

Broadcasters and cable operators are on the same page when it comes to the FCC doing lots more looking before it leaps into expanding terrestrial wireless acccess to the C-band spectrum used to get network programming to stations and MVPDs.

That came in a joint filing that included the American Cable Association and NCTA-The Internet & Television Association, the National Association of Broadcasters and NPR.

Related: NPR says U.S. Should Divide C-Band to Conquer 5G

They point out in a joint letter to the commission that video and audio programming delivered via the C-band serves 142 million Americans, representing what they called "the backbone of the infrastructure for delivering video content to American consumers.”

Related: NAB Says C-Band Sharing Isn't a Given

The FCC sought input on the band as part of the MOBILE NOW Act rquirement it produce a report on expanding access, as well as in its Notice of Inquiry on expanding use of mid-band spectrum.

To make the point that the FCC still has a lot of questions to answer, they listed more than 40 in their letter, including how interference risks would be mitigated if the band is repacked; how the FCC determines whether or not they will be effective; how big would the guard band between new wireless users and incumbant broadcast and cable users; how incumbents would be compensated if the band is repacked and spectrum auctioned to wireless; what costs would be reimbursed, and the veritable host of others.

The bottom line, they say, is that the "much more information is required before the Commission can make an informed decision..."

Broadcast, Cable to FCC: C-Band Sharing Needs More Study

 

[Z_finigan]

What a joke. 5G.
1st off interference. Oh yeah. I know this because my daughter during our outdoor new year's eve party. Walked under my dish with her laptop computer and the Wi-Fi. That was on 5Ghz knocked out NBC till she got away from it. So unless the devices have really good transmitting filters they're going down to cause problems.

Now what I don't understand is why not go after Ku band. It's like am. When it comes to programming. And DTV. Is dropping the dish. Only dish network is left.

 

[danristheman]

That would cause interference on ku side for us I would rather give them KA since we don't use it in this hobby.

 

[radio]

First the off-topic response... then back to our thread....

"Z."....

NO AM jokes or derogatory comments allowed here, please. There's still some good programmers out there besides us here, at WION. Don't lump us all together as having bad programming or sound quality. Perhaps listening to our internet feed will change your mind if you want to hear what AM's potential sound and programming quality really can-be. You won't believe you're hearing AM! It's the owners and programmers who are lazy that ruin AM's reputation, not the fault the band itself. AM can sound excellent when processed properly and has many hard working owners across the U.S. Yes, before anyone says it... I'm touchy. I don't let ANYONE bad mouth the place where I make my living...even in jest, never as a derogatory comparison..especially on a site which is so rapidly indexed by Google and followed by so many people.

I also believe the (AM/Ku) comparison to be ineffective. Ku-band may not have programming for many of us, but...look at how MUCH international programming it has. It must be appealing to a good amount of people, or it wouldn't be there. Economics proves it. If people weren't supporting the religious and international broadcasters, those broadcasters would not BE on Ku at all...so there is an audience...just not you, and for the most part, not me. Its been a roller coaster of Ku becoming popular for "general" programming and an option on dishes in the mid to late 80's which was "new" to consumers, then, over time dropping off with many mainstream services moving back to C-band over the years. I do agree with you that C-band is likely the most active for our assembled hobbyists in the USA. Please don't condemn a medium because it's not your "cup of tea." (Ku or AM radio.)

Returning to our topic, I am somewhat disappointed at the very small cross section of our (FTA) members who actually wrote the FCC to file comments on the C-band redistribution issue. Bravo to those who did. To the rest: Not a PEEP if the band gets carved up and you didn't write your opinion to the FCC.

In closing, I respect others opinions, but on the topic of AM radio, I am an expert working hard in it...so I make it a habit to squelch misinformation and generalizations that hurt my industry.

Now back to our regularly scheduled C-band topic, which affects AM owners, too.

 

[comfortably_numb]

I didn't write the FCC because I don't currently have a C-band dish. I hope to do some C-band experimentation again in the future, but I don't have permission from my landlord at the present time. Right now I am all Ku.

 

[danristheman]

Numb you need a minibud. Here is my card.

 

[comfortably_numb]

Numb you need a minibud. Here is my card.

What is a minibud??

 

[navychop]

A 7 ounce beer.


Sent from my iPhone using the SatelliteGuys app!

 

[primestar31]

What is a minibud??

Read Dan's posts, and you'll know. Basically, it's a 4 foot dish fitted with a c-band lnbf, that can get the higher-powered c-band signals. Better than nothing, but will leave you wanting much more.

 

[comfortably_numb]

Read Dan's posts, and you'll know. Basically, it's a 4 foot dish fitted with a c-band lnbf, that can get the higher-powered c-band signals. Better than nothing, but will leave you wanting much more.

Ah, I get it now. I have had zero luck finding a 4 foot dish. And shipping them is outrageously expensive

 

[primestar31]

Ah, I get it now. I have had zero luck finding a 4 foot dish. And shipping them is outrageously expensive

Look for abandoned gas stations and the like with one on the roof that used it for credit cards or whatever, track down the owner, and call them. Also, post "WANTED" ads around, and tell people you meet you are looking for one. You'll likely find one then.

 

[danristheman]

Talk to realtors they helped me out also they want to so called get the JUNK off their roof. Realtors words not mine. Numb I wish you could stop by my house I have got plenty of spare dishes. I have to deal with an evil apartment complex. I have like 10 to 12 dishes in my shed.

 

[navychop]

Big shed.


Sent from my iPhone using the SatelliteGuys app!

 

[danristheman]

When they are broken down you can get a lot in there including 2 nprms, 8 bay tv antenna, car parts so forth.

 

[N0QBH]

All so more idiots can sit around staring at their leash - I mean phone.

 

[radio]

And, the plot THICKENS...as the NAB (not a member at WION, by the way) along with the FCC exchange ideas.

What a huge MESS this has created.

 

[Radioguy41]

If there's one thing the FCC has shown consumers over the years it's this: They will screw up anything they want to irregardless of informed feedback. So it's going to come down to just one thing, who has more money- the cable operators or the wireless companies, because money will decide what happens with C-band.

 

[clucas]

Radioguy is right. Sorry to say but there is BIG money in wireless. I expect they will get their way.

 

[radio]

Ah, but...consider the amount of Cable Head-ends, AM, FM, and TV broadcasters who would be adversely affected. I get the "money" bit, and agree for the most part...however, would you want to be the Commissioner, Chairman, or on the committee that mucks up more public communications than anything else in years of history? There still is hope....
On a similar "money" note, we all need to remember that even though the NAB is working on the issue, they do not speak for the small broadcaster. They are in bed with big broadcasters more than those like us.

 

[danristheman]

That could be a bad thing and a good thing if the NAB tells the big broadcasters its going to cost them a lot of money then they would want to fight it more than ever. Some T Mobile engineer was working on the cell tower site next to the radio station and told me since the wavelength is to short that they could not place it on cell towers. It didn't make sense to him why they would buy that frequency it just wouldn't work I said look it up on the FCC website and you see what I mean. The engineer was happy to have have 5G I told him my 2 cents.