FCC Likely to Approve Distributed DTV Antenna Order Soon
The FCC seems likely to approve a draft order letting broadcasters spread smaller antennas throughout their coverage areas to improve digital TV reception, commission officials said. The proposal to approve the use of distributed transmission systems for digital broadcasts (CD Oct 16 p4) doesn’t seem contentious among the commissioners, and it may be approved on circulation before the Nov. 4 meeting, they said. Broadcasters support use of the technology, though there are possible technical hurdles to wide use, three industry executives said. No outside objections to the technology appear to have recently been brought to the attention of commissioners, agency officials said.
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The draft Media Bureau order circulated Oct. 15 by Chairman Kevin Martin may help broadcasters fill in coverage areas by scattering smaller antennas, so all viewers in a market can get digital signals, the executives and agency officials said. It may help avoid on Feb. 17 a repeat of what happened Sept. 8 in Wilmington, N.C., when most stations there went all-digital and WECT’s coverage shrank (CD Sept 17 p5), a commission official said. The official said the draft item doesn’t appear to have specific power limits for distributed transmission systems and instead imposes the same power caps on them as apply to regular DTV stations. FCC officials are hopeful the order will be approved before the Nov. 4 meeting to make way for more controversial items, such as a white-spaces order. An FCC spokeswoman declined to comment.
Distributed transmission antennas have had limited use, industry executives said. That may change as more stations use them to ensure that their signals reach all viewers - helping make available mobile video and data services that broadcasters hope to roll out, they said. Ion Media tested the antennas in New York in 2007 and was pleased with the results, said Executive Vice President John Lawson. “We have confidence in the technology and we think it’s very important that the commission establish the rules so we can begin deploying these systems,” he added. “The quality of the signal, the reach of the signal, is very important to us” as Ion considers a “triple play” of HD broadcasting, multicasting and mobile services, Lawson said.
Gray TV will take a look at distributed systems, which might ensure a “robust signal” for mobile video and data, said James Ocon, vice president of technology. “I'm open to it, but I want to be cautious.” Broadcasters generally are supportive, said President David Donovan of the Association for Maximum Service Television. “The real question is the technical issues that surround it, but as a tool to try to fill in your market area and provide greater service, conceptually the industry supports it.” NAB spokesmen didn’t reply to messages seeking comment.
Two other DTV items at the FCC remain on circulation, both lacking votes from Martin, commission officials said. A rulemaking notice asking whether the FCC can bar broadcasters from pulling their signals from cable operators and other pay-TV companies around the time of the transition has votes from all the other commissioners, and Martin has proposed no changes to the item, they said. Two members of the House Commerce Committee wrote Martin on Wednesday asking for the so-called DTV quiet period to start before year-end. (See separate report in this issue.)
A rulemaking on low-power broadcasters also has votes from all other FCC members besides Martin, commission officials said. But the four commissioners voted for the item with major changes that Martin won’t agree to, they said. An FCC spokeswoman declined to comment on the rulemaking or legislators’ letter.