AT&T Questions Broadcasters' Use of TV Spectrum

[SixPlusOne]

Apparently AT&T isn't yet satisfied with the additional spectrum they have just been given. Obviously these pigs want it all.

Courtesy: Multichannel News

AT&T Questions Broadcasters' Use of TV Spectrum

"Policymakers "need to take a fresh look at existing allocations of spectrum, including the allocation of spectrum to broadcasters" to determine if "that spectrum is still needed by the broadcast industry or if it is better used in other areas," said Jim Ciconni, senior executive VP of AT&T at a Washington think tank event. Criticizing 50-year-old government policies, Ciconni also pushed for re-examination of the spectrum reserve that is hoarded by federal agencies, especially the Defense Department, that could be reassigned or shared for commercial purposes.

Claiming that the "government put its thumb on the scale" when it gave TV operators so much spectrum, Ciconni argued that, "It's time to take a fresh look ... at the geographic monopoly bestowed by the government" to broadcasters, whom, he charged, are not fulfilling the obligations of their licenses - especially since they rely on MVPDs for much of their distribution and revenue."

https://www.multichannel.com/news/att-q ... v-spectrum

[JackAttack FM]

Given the fact they payout millions (probably hundreds of millions) of dollars in retransmission fees to TV broadcasters to carry them on their cable and satellite systems and are legally obligated to do so. I would think it'd be a pretty good thing for them if there were fewer TV stations on the broadcast spectrum to pay retrans fees to.
And what would be better for AT&T than OTA TV viewers who would lose stations and have to become AT&T cable and internet customers.

[TC Talks]

when I look at how the frequencies are being utilized, they are no longer a public service. The television band is owned by three to four companies. 80% of the radio band is owner by less than eight companies.

Why should they get a government protection in the days of conservative politics?

[YpsiGuy]

Of course ATT wants broadcasting killed. They will get the spectrum plus then you are hostage to their TV services like DirectTV and/or Uverse.

[szmigiel]

AT&T has little stake in OTA, they will make more money if people are forced to use cable or broadband for streaming.

[audiophile]

AT&T is a horrible company. I do no business with them anymore.

Their cell sites don't even have generator backup at many locations.

They will call the FCC on you even when your equipment is operating normally because they want the your harmonics 120 dB down, even though the rules only require 80 dB.

Of course they use tower mounted electronics, with poor filtering! The intermod was created inside their high-gain front ends. Tough luck for going cheap!