Broadcasting, Wireless Officials to Testify at House Communications' Repacking Hearing

CTIA Vice President-Regulatory Affairs Scott Bergmann and NAB General Counsel Rick Kaplan are among the six industry officials set to testify at a Thursday House Communications Subcommittee hearing on post-incentive auction repacking issues (see 1708310061), the House Commerce Committee's GOP staff said Tuesday in a memo. America's Public Television Stations CEO Patrick Butler, Competitive Carriers Association General Counsel Rebecca Murphy Thompson, NewsChannel 5 Network General Manager Lyn Plantinga and National Association of Tower Erectors Chairman Jim Tracy also will speak. A July FCC preliminary estimate said repacking expenses will total $2.12 billion, more than the $1.75 billion allocated in the existing reimbursement fund for post-incentive auction repacking (see 1707140070). The Viewer Protection Act (HR-3347) and Viewer and Listener Protection Act (S-1632) would establish supplemental funds (see 1707200051 and 1707260059). House Commerce Republicans want to discuss estimated repacking costs and potential delays in the post-incentive auction's 39-month timeline for completing the repacking process, the GOP memo said. “Adjusting the repack timeline would not only negatively affect winning bidders in this auction, but would inject uncertainty into future auction proceedings.” House Commerce also wants to examine how low-power and TV translator stations are faring in the repacking process.