A proposed auction of the broadcast spectrum may impact the reach of AMBER Alerts in several Western states. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is auctioning part of the spectrum used by television stations and some broadcasters fear the change will hurt rural residents from getting AMBER Alerts.
“We are concerned this will hurt thousands of people who receive free over-the-air TV,” said Utah Broadcasters Association President Michele Zabriskie. “We want to make sure they are still able to receive emergency messages, including AMBER Alerts, and help bring abducted kids back home.”
On February 22, 2012, the FCC received authorization from Congress to auction spectrum made available by television stations voluntarily for wireless or broadband use. The TV stations will get a share of the proceeds from the auction. Large companies, such as AT&T and Verizon, will likely pay sizable amounts of money to buy the spectrum.
“It will be a groundbreaking event for the broadcast television, mobile wireless and technology sectors of our economy,” said the FCC in a statement. “The auction presents a significant financial opportunity for many broadcasters, and we expect it to enhance the ability of broadcasters who remain on the air to continue providing the public with diverse, local, free over-the-air television service.”
Western states such as Utah, New Mexico, and Montana have developed significant translator systems to carry over-the-air television signals to rural, often mountainous, portions of their states where it is not feasible to provide cable service.
Utah has 756 such translators that cover 25 of the state's 29 counties. Approximately 250,000 Utah homes, about 20% of the population, receive TV free over-the-air.
“The FCC is looking at moving all over-the-air television broadcasting to Channel 31 or below,” said Zabriskie. “If that happens, the translator system in Utah will be out of business as it now operates, because all translators are on channels higher than 31.”
Once the auction is completed, a “repacking” process will likely be used to reposition some television stations to different spectrum locations. However, it is unclear whether the translators will still function.
Zabriskie and other broadcasters in the Western States are urging FCC and Congress to make sure the translators still function after the auction and repacking is completed.