CEA FILES COMMENTS URGING THE FCC TO EVALUATE AND PROTECT OUR NATION'S VALUABLE SPECTRUM

Arlington, Va., October 23, 2009 - Today, in a filing to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® urged the FCC to initiate immediate action to assess spectrum usage and determine how additional spectrum can be allocated for wireless broadband and other uses.

"We are currently facing a crisis in wireless high-speed broadband availability," said CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro. "We encourage the Commission to immediately begin an inventory of spectrum usage. At the same time, it is important to begin developing a model for determining how to identify and reallocate spectrum."

CEA worked with economist Coleman Bazelon to develop a model that considers the value and efficiency of use of the broadcast TV spectrum, which currently occupies nearly 300 megahertz. CEA submitted this data, The Need for Additional Spectrum for Wireless Broadband: The Economic Benefits and Costs of Reallocations, as one approach to the type of analysis that should be considered by the FCC. The Commission should request further data to analyze and identify spectrum that may be reallocated for higher uses.

"The fact is we need more spectrum to continue to fulfill spiraling consumer demand. We do have swaths of underutilized or inefficiently used spectrum," concluded Shapiro. "We must work together to ensure this spectrum crisis does not threaten our national priorities and competitiveness."

About CEA

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $172 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Where Entertainment, Technology and Business Converge. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA's industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org.

Posted by Shane Sturgeon, October 23, 2009 6:06 PM