The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed that mobile operators have equal access to TV broadcast frequencies that could become available in spectrum auctions, in a bid to address the threat of spectrum scarcity for mobile broadband services. Its proposals “set the stage for voluntary broadcast spectrum auctions that could provide consumers with the robust mobile broadband services they demand while preserving over-the-air TV that many rely upon,” the FCC said in a statement. However, the regulator is reliant on TV broadcasters giving up their spectrum on a voluntary basis. Hence, it is also looking at ways for TV broadcasters to use their spectrum more efficiently, another way to free up radio frequencies for mobile broadband in the future. Efficiency measures include exploring whether TV stations can voluntarily combine their operations and programming lineups on a single TV channel. The FCC is seeking comment on proposed rules that would further enable TV broadcasters to share TV channels by tapping the technical capabilities that became available following the country’s move to digital TV in 2009.  Finally, the regulator is also inviting comment on how to improve TV reception on VHF channels, for instance by increasing transmitter power, as a means to encourage VHF usage by broadcasters. In October, the FCC published a report that warned of an impending “spectrum crunch” because of surging demand for mobile broadband services.

“The explosive growth of mobile communications threatens to outpace the infrastructure on which it relies,” FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said in a meeting to announce the proposals, according to Reuters. At the same event, the FCC separately announced two measures to promote research into spectrum-efficient wireless technologies. One proposal is to expand existing rules to promote innovative research with a new type of license, as well as streamlining existing procedures. Secondly, the FCC is asking the mobile industry how to promote “dynamic access” technology, which squeezes the maximum usage out of available spectrum. More details on the FCC’s plans are available here. Meanwhile in a separate development, this morning it was announced that the FCC has set a date of December 21 for a meeting to discuss the contentious issue of net neutrality.