The President reaffirmed the Administration's commitment to see 500 MHz of spectrum repurposed for commercial and public safety broadband use, targeting both Federal government and broadcast allocations in a speech delivered February 10. As part of this initiative, the President endorsed the FCC's plan to pursue legislation that would permit "voluntary incentive auctions" that would enable spectrum holders, e.g. television broadcasters, to realize a portion of the auction proceeds.  He also called for an investment of $10.7B in public safety broadband:  $3.2B to reallocate the D Block; $7B to get the network built; and $500M from the proposed $3B Wireless Innovation Fund to support R&D and technological development to tailor the network to meet public safety requirements.  MORE

Last August, the FCC attempted on three occasions to view the public inspection file of TV station KCET, Community Television of Southern California, in Los Angeles.  The Commission's rules require "noncommercial educational stations to provide access to materials in the public inspection file" and inspection of that file should be made available during normal business hours to any member of the public. That rule is pretty unambiguous. On the first visit, the FCC's undercover agent was informed by the security guard that he had to call a certain number to make an appointment to access the file; and when the agent asked to speak to the station manager he was advised that he needed to make an appointment for that opportunity as well.  MORE

In February 2010, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) informed the Commission about interference they were receiving on Marine Channel 16, the International Distress, Safety, and Calling Channel. The Commission later identified Vincent E. Aversa, Jr. of Melbourne, Florida, as the party periodically transmitting on this marine channel from his automobile.   MORE