Broadcasters have until 2006 or when digital TV reaches 85% of the market to return their analog channels to the government. In the meantime, they will continue to broadcast in both analog and digital so that consumers can still get a signal even if they don't have a new digital TV.
By law, the commission must start to auction off the airwaves space before the broadcasters clear out. Already the FCC plans an auction of the broadcast channels 60 through 69 in September. Wireless carriers are expected to bid aggressively for those licenses, even though some may have to wait before they can begin using it. Auctions for channels 52 through 59 must occur before September of 2002. Roughly 265 TV stations operating on those channels currently hold those licenses.
- Anya Khait