([0119r.ezz of U,.e 1!tnit.ell '§tat.ez Ifll1sl,illgtol1, :m@ 20515 September 21, 2012 Honorable Julius Genachowski Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12''' Street SW Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Genachowski, We are writing to you regarding the television broadcast incentive auction that Congress authorized as part of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of2012. As you know, Congress adopted this measure to permit those television licensees that want to exit the broadcast business to do so voluntarily, thereby freeing up frequencies which will be reallocated for wireless broadband services. We understand tltis is the largest overhaul of spectrum our country has ever seen, and appreciate that the Federal Communications Conunission is pursuing a thoughtful and comprehensive process. Increasing the amount of spectrum allocated to wireless broadband fulfills a vital national goal. However, it is equally important that the FCC protects the ability of the public to continue to receive free over-the-air television signals from those television stations that will continue to provide their service to our constituents after the auction is completed. Reallocating broadcast spectrum to broadband will affect a large number of U.S. television markets, including many in New York. For this reason, the bandplan the FCC adopts for remaining television must not adversely affect the ability of our constituents to continue receiving the free local programming they currently receive. Thus, it remains incredibly impOttant for the FCC to allow stakeholders the opportunity to review and conunent on any repacking proposal before it is finalized. Additionally, we encourage you to continue to work closely with Canadian officials to ensure that the public can continue to view these local broadcast stations without interference. The Urtited States and Canada are bound by treaty obligations to coordinate with each other with respect to channel assignments to protect the television viewing public in each country. Again, we commend you on your efforts thus far. We urge you to continue on the side of disclosure as you implement this important new statute, allowing enough time for all interested parties to determine how they may be affected. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER We thank you for your attention to this request, and look forward to your response. 64OWUA4- Bill L. Owens Member of Congress Edo phus Towns Membel' of Congress Kirsten Gillibrand United States Senator Jerrold Nadler Member of Congress Nydia Vela quez Member of Congress Sincerely, Charles Ra I Member of Congre s ~ Richard Hanna Member of Congress E~L~nJ"'yL Member of Congress ~ J.{.~ I'~ Louise Slaughter Charles E. Schumer Member of Congre United States Senator