Spectrum Wars, ATSC 3.0, and the Future of Broadcasting

John M. Lawson, PrincipalConvergence Services, Inc.

Goal for Session

Connect spectrum policy, next-generation broadcast technology, and broadcaster business models at a strategic level.

High Level, Not the Weeds

Federal Role Established Early“There is involved, however, in all of this regulation the need to establish public right over the ether roads.”

“For some reason or other the area is not always a circle as you know, and it varies in different parts of the country for the same power.”

- Commerce Secretary Herbert Hoover, National Radio Conferences, 1922 & 1927

JVC ProVideo Executive Report, April 2011

Overview of ATSC 3.0

Deeper Dive: Broadcasting & Public Safety

• The legacy Emergency Alert System (EAS) is dated and limited. Newer solutions still fall short.

• The role of broadcasters today in PS/EC is potentially much more important than ever.

• Mobile DTV, M-EAS, ATSC 3.0, and the IP migration of carriers create unique window for broadcasting.

Broadcasters and Civil Defense

Saber Rattling (at 57 Megatons)

Crisis!

Cold War Angst

IPAWS: Not This

Integrated Public Alert and Warning System

Mobile Emergency Alert System(M-EAS)

A “hardened” mass-alerting system for reaching citizensanytime, anywhere

Sandy Takes Out 25%

of Cell Towers –

LongIslandPress.com Outages Expose Wireless Carriers' Backup Plans – The Wall Street Journal

Sandy’s Toll on Telecom

Authorities said cell phone traffic was so heavy that it hampered their ability to respond to emergencies – ABC News

NYC TV broadcasters stay on-air during Sandy – TV Technology

Cellular Fragility

IP Migration of Telcos

Public Safety: Major Problem

Strategic Opportunity for Broadcasts• Use carrot of Advanced EAS to create

additional bi-partisan support • Build out unique Service to America• Ensure broadcasting signals on mobile,

all other media devices• Get past gate keepers for new revenue

✓

IP Migration and Broadcasters• Federal and state regulators, PS officials recognize the one-to-

many architecture of broadcasting provides a unique solution to some all-IP shortcomings

• ATSC 3.0 enhances this opportunity with minimum commitment of spectrum

• Creates pathway to ensure that broadcast signals can reach future mobile phones

Spectrum Wars, ATSC 3.0, and the Future of Broadcasting

John M. Lawson, PrincipalConvergence Services, Inc.