• Broadcast Law, Tuesday, July 20, 2010 11:29 PM

Last week, the FCC's Media Bureau granted waivers of the requirement that television tuners be capable of receiving both analog and digital television transmissions, but only with respect to tuners meant for mobile use. The FCC justified the waivers of the All Channel Receiver Act given the technological constraints that an analog reception chip would put on mobile receivers.

This signal is being tested now to allow television broadcasters to provide mobile programming in addition to their current over-the-air broadcast signals -- a service planned for commercial rollout at the end of the year. These waivers, granted in response to requests by Dell and LG Electronics, not only signal the seriousness with which this new service is being regarded, but also provide evidence of the coming end of analog television, now used solely by LPTV stations. One caveat: the success of this service will make it more difficult for the Commission to reclaim television spectrum for broadband use.

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