A group led by low-power television (LPTV) entrepreneur Frank Copsidas is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to move forward with a proposed rule that opens the door for broadcasters to voluntarily use 5G transmissions on their frequencies.
In a filing on Saturday, Copsidas formally backed a presentation made earlier this month by HC2 Broadcasting Holdings, one of the country’s major LPTV licensees.
The FCC is considering whether to authorize permissive use of 5G Broadcast for low-power television stations. Supporters say the technology could give LPTV operators a more practical path to advanced broadcast services than ATSC 3.0, which some smaller station owners view as too costly or operationally difficult.
Copsidas, who founded the LPTV Broadcasters Association, has argued that 5G Broadcast could support public safety use cases and other technology upgrades for community-focused “local power” stations. His filing asks the Commission to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would address both HC2’s petition and his own request in a single proceeding.
“The record is sufficient to proceed,” Copsidas wrote. “Remaining implementation details belong in a NPRM, not in further delay on the petition.”
It isn’t clear if the FCC will consider his filing: It was made nearly two months after the agency’s deadline on the matter, which was July 1.
At least one LPTV station, WCRN (Channel 30) in Boston, is already transmitting with 5G signals on an experimental basis, The Desk previously reported. Copsidas noted the station was operating without any reports of interference from other broadcasters in the area.
LPTV broadcasters are hoping 5G transmissions could serve as a viable alternative to NextGen TV, especially for mobile devices, and have asked the FCC to consider an exemption to a mandatory transition to NextGen TV if it acts on that separate proposal.
A mobile handset capable of receiving 5G broadcast signals is expected early next year.
