CEA Reiterates Looming Spectrum Shortage in Response to Erroneous NAB Letter

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® today issued the following statement, attributable to Michael Petricone, senior vice president, government affairs, CEA, regarding the Oct. 5 letter from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction.

“NAB’s desperate and fanciful assertion that there is no spectrum crisis runs contrary to physics and fact.

“While NAB cites a Citigroup study as support for its position, notably absent from NAB’s letter is Citigroup’s conclusion that current spectrum levels are insufficient to provide wireless broadband to American consumers. Specifically, Citigroup concludes that today, ‘U.S. carriers can offer 0.5-1 mbps. But 3Mbps speeds – the type needed for small screen streaming video – requires more spectrum.’

“The fact of an oncoming spectrum shortage has been ratified by numerous studies and acknowledged by bipartisan leaders in Congress, the FCC, the President, and independent scientific and technical groups.

“There is no serious debate about this issue. As our current supply of spectrum remains constant, wireless data usage is exploding. A recent study estimated that by 2015, more users will access the Internet from mobile devices than from wired devices.

“Spectrum auctions are a simple and completely voluntary way to solve this crisis and ensure that Americans have reliable mobile broadband access. Additionally, spectrum auctions will create tens of thousands of new jobs, spur innovation and economic growth, and bring in billions and billions of dollars to the U.S. Treasury for deficit reduction.

“Instead of engaging in frenetic attempts to deny the obvious, we urge NAB to work with policymakers and the innovation industry, and take the responsible steps needed to get our economy back on track.”

CEA sent a letter to the same committee on Sept. 13, laying out the overwhelming case for incentive spectrum auctions.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $190 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, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces the International CES – The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org, www.DeclareInnovation.com and through social media; https://www.facebook.com/#!/CEAfeed, http://twitter.com/ceafeed, http://blog.ce.org/.

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KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Virginia

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Technology  Telecommunications  Public Policy/Government  Mobile/Wireless  Other Policy Issues  Public Policy  White House/Federal Government

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