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"One provision, a "Mobile Future Auction," calls for a spectrum auction that allows current licensees, including broadcasters, to voluntarily give up spectrum in exchange for a share of auction proceeds. This provision, which has drawn the ire of the National Association of Broadcasters trade group, is one element of a plan to free up 500 MHz of spectrum over the next decade for mobile broadband use."

"one study found that as much as $50 billion in spectrum could be freed up if policies were adopted to transition broadcast spectrum to mobile spectrum. "

PC Magazine reports on the FCC's proposal to auction off airwaves freed up by the digital conversion in an effort to increase spectrum for mobile phone application development.

"Few broadcasters are likely to bite. As a group, TV stations have already spent more than $15 billion to make the transition to digital TV. Stations are just now beginning to monetize their new digital spectrum, which allows the broadcast of multiple channels."

"The details as to how the FCC plans to go from having 50 MHz available for mobile broadband today to 500 MHz in 10 years will result in a pretty big legislative battle as the FCC tries to nab broadcaster spectrum and incumbents and tech firms position to own large chunks of those valuable airwaves."

Industry reaction to FCC ruling on Broadband Auction.