C!tangr~55 of t4~ lInit~ll ~tat~5
mnsIJingtnn, ilQt 2D515
September 26th , 2012
The Honorable Julius Genachowski
Chairman
The Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20554
Dear Chairman Genachowski:
Last year, our state was hit by two severe storms that caused widespread power outages for as
many as 10-12 days. In the aftermath ofthese storms, many ofour constituents turned to fee over
the air television signals on their battery and generator powered televisions for important
information about the recovery. In many cases cable TV systems, internet service providers and
cell phone carriers were also down. These events underscored for us the importance of retaining
access to these free over the air signals as not just a public service, but a critical emergency
response tool.
To this end, we write today in regards to the television broadcast incentive auction that was
authorized by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of2012. As you know, this
measure was adopted to permit television licensees to exit the broadcast business voluntarily,
which would have the effect of freeing up frequencies that could then be reallocated for wireless
broadband services. There is little doubt that expanding the amount of spectrum allocated to
support wireless broadband is a important national goal - in fact, we strongly support this worthy
effort.
However, in doing so, we urge the commission to protect the ability of the public to continue to
receive free over-the-air television signals from those stations that will continue to provide
service to our constituents after the auction is over. As you move forward, we believe that any
plan that the commission adopts should not negatively impact the ability ofour constituents to
continue to receive free local programming via free over the air service. Given the large number
of individuals, households and markets potentially affected by the commission's proposal, we
also urge that this process be kept transparent through robust disclosure of the plan at the earliest
possible opportunity so anyone affected can have ample time to evaluate the plan.
We thank you for your attention to this request, and look forward to hearing from you.
~,($,s~~,,~
RICHARD BLUMENTHAL f
United States SenatorOi~
~
~
~EO ON RECYCLED PAPER
o
Sincerely,
-----
OSEPH I. LIEBERMAN
United States Senator
•JOHN LARSON
Member of Congress
44----'
JIM HIMES
Member of Congress
~ (.'U~~
JOE COURTNEY 1
mberofCo ss