CTA to US Senate: Take back broadcast spectrum
FROM THE EDITOR
February 28, 2026
From Frank Copsidas
President, 5G Broadcast Collective
Is the broadcast spectrum being used efficiently and in a way that best serves American consumers and the broader economy? This is the critical question the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) recently posed to the Senate Commerce Committee.
Full-power US broadcasters continue to struggle with an uncertain future, often resisting change and advocating to maintain the status quo, even as the media landscape has evolved dramatically. The revolutionary potential of ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) is well understood, yet its delayed and uneven rollout since 2018–2019 has limited its impact. Had it been embraced more aggressively earlier, it might have gained stronger traction. These challenges are squarely those of full-power broadcasters, and CTA's focus on spectrum efficiency rightly targets the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and broader industry practices.
Importantly, low-power television (LPTV) stations should not be lumped together with full-power operations. Full-power entities often invoke LPTV when it suits their arguments, but otherwise treat us as an inconvenient afterthought, bullying or ignoring the "annoying little sibling." LPTV has a clear, forward-looking path: 5G Broadcast, a cutting-edge technology poised for commercial deployment starting later this year and accelerating into 2027.
At MWC Barcelona next week, X1 Mobile is to announcing the world's first commercially available smartphone capable of receiving 5G Broadcast. While the initial version targets European broadcasters, a U.S.-compatible model is slated for release in Q3 2026. This positions LPTV to adopt the world's first truly global broadcast standard (one already embraced by cellular networks and increasingly by satellite services) enabling seamless convergence across platforms.
5G Broadcast opens exciting new possibilities tailored to LPTV's strengths in hyper-local service. It excels at delivering community-focused content, from streaming local news and events to life-saving public safety tools for first responders and emergency communications. The LPTV Broadcasters Association (LPTVBA) will showcase one such innovative use case at the upcoming LPTVBA Day session during NAB Show.
In contrast, 5G Broadcast is not optimally suited for large-scale full-power deployments. In most of the world, LPTV’s 15kw UHF limit is considered “full power.” Reallocating or revoking LPTV spectrum would undermine the public interest and public safety at a time when local broadcasting is more vital than ever. LPTV is not clinging to the past; we are actively forging a future with advanced, convergence-ready solutions designed for today's connected world.
Do not penalize LPTV for the struggles of our "older siblings." We approach the future with passion, purpose, and proven momentum. LPTV is ready to lead—and we will prove it.
(Editor, 5G Broadcast Collective)
ARTICLES
Castanet tees up 5G Broadcast market trials
Castanet, a startup with ambitions to build a national 5G Broadcast network underpinned by hundreds of low-power television (LPTV) stations, is planning to conduct at least three field trials this year. In an ex parte filed February 12 associated with the coming upper C-band spectrum auction, Castanet told the agency that two commercial pilots – in Santa Clara, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada – could be operational by this April.
CoS clears 470–582 MHz band for D2M broadcasting, sets six month deadline for Prasar Bharati
In a significant policy push for broadcast-to-mobile convergence, the Committee of Secretaries (CoS) has approved allocation of the 470–582 MHz spectrum band for Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcasting and cleared a public-private partnership (PPP) model for its implementation.
ETV rolls out 5G Broadcast in Serbia with Rohde & Schwarz
Serbia’s public broadcaster ETV has selected German technology provider Rohde & Schwarz to upgrade its core transmitter site at Avala, serving the capital city of Belgrade.The project will deploy the first 5G Broadcast transmitter in Serbia, to boost the country’s broadcasting capabilities ahead of EXPO 2027.
EVENTS
