The FCC Media Bureau asked for additional comment on...

Widelity on “Response to the Federal Communications Commission for the Broadcaster Transition Study Solicitation” along with a “Catalog of Potential Expenses and Estimated Costs.” Widelity, a spectrum consulting firm, based its projections on “confidential interviews of a broad range of industry players, including TV broadcast group engineers, radiofrequency and structural engineers, suppliers, support companies, manufacturers, attorneys, and network engineers,” the bureau said (http://bit.ly/1gLG2SG). “The Widelity Report recognizes that the post-auction repacking process will be complex and that the complexity will vary from station to station.” The notice asks for comment on the report and the catalog of suggested prices. “We now seek additional comment from industry participants on these suggested prices, as well as any comments on the report and any further comments on the categories of costs included,” the bureau said. “A final Catalog of Eligible Expenses and Estimated Costs will be released prior to the auction, and we believe the Catalog will provide useful guidance to broadcasters and MVPDs as they navigate the post-auction transition.” Bureau Chief Bill Lake said in a blog post the issues raised are complicated but the FCC needs to “craft policies and procedures to transition the broadcasters with as little disruption to the industry and consumers as possible.” The FCC has already held two workshops on broadcaster reimbursement issues, he said (http://fcc.us/1nHl5NU). “The transition will be challenging, and there will likely be bumps in the road. But we pledge to work closely with all affected parties as we refine our thinking on these issues to make the transition as smooth as possible. Though the auction is not until 2015, we want to continue to engage stakeholders now. We hope all interested parties will carefully review the Widelity Report and accompanying catalog of potential expenses and give us their suggestions as we move forward.”