October 24th, 2011 
joel When we last polled our P&T readers, we asked about your online video usage. A plurality said that they never watch local news video online, while over a third would occasionally do so. Just under a third would watch full newscasts or live video streams if offered.
There is much talk in the trade press about the looming spectrum crisis, with wireless broadband operators such as AT&T and Verizon screaming for more bandwidth, especially in the UHF “beachfront property” bands where signals can penetrate buildings better and have less dropout. That just happens to be where for the past 60 years your local television stations operate, and they are not giving up their “seed corn” without a fight.
The National Broadband Plan has called for an additional 500 MHz to be allocated to the wireless operators, a big chunk of which would come out of broadcasters’ spectrum “behind.” This proposal is coming after the spectrum that TV stations abandoned with the digital TV conversion.
So which side are you on; does the need for spectrum to operate smartphones and tablets and whatever next-generation technology is out there trump the outdated free TV model? Or is the highly-efficient, locally-responsive, and free one-to-many model of TV stations an inherent right of citizens in a representative democracy?
Where do you fall in the spectrum war?
- With the TV stations: keep free TV available in all markets (72%, 21 Votes)
- With the wireless operators: we need more spectrum to keep up with consumer demand (14%, 4 Votes)
- I don't have a horse in this race (14%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 29
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Deep Background for December 6-12, 2009
I’ve doing a lot of reading about the state of wireless technology and the impact that the Apple iPhone has had on that space. The advent of the Steve Jobs’ brainchild was the first time subscribers switched carriers to signup for a particular phone brand.
The current Verizon Wireless campaign touting their 3G network vs. that of AT&T’s is a strong example of harsh yet smart comparative advertising. AT&T is answering with their own maps saying that they indeed have coverage available to 97% of Americans, although the fine print begins “3G not available in all areas.”
For me, as much as I desire an iPhone, there’s no way that I can leave Verizon and their free “in” calling, because so many in my sphere of influence are in the network. Also, with four phones on our family plan, I’m paying as much of a wireless bill as I wish to carry.
You can make a connection talking about any media related topic on this open forum. As always, a private message can be e-mailed to joel@nataliemedia.com or tweet @pressandtower.
Embrace the chaos!