NAB, PK Jointly Support Change to ATSC 3.0 Draft

NAB and Public Knowledge back removing a conclusion from the draft order on broadcast internet that the FCC lacks authority to require broadcaster ancillary fees subsidize consumers for buying ATSC 3.0 equipment. “NAB indicated that it does not object to PK’s request that the Commission remove any conclusion regarding PK’s fees proposal,” said NAB and PK in a call last week with an aide to Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, per a joint filing posted in docket 20-145 Monday. NAB and PK are usually opponents in FCC proceedings. “PK stressed that the Commission’s conclusion was at best premature and at this time it is unnecessary for the Commission to rule on its authority,” the filing said. PK said the same to an aide to Chairman Ajit Pai, said another filing. The draft order should be changed “to simply state that because the NPRM did not consider the issue of FCC authority to create a coupon fund to alleviate consumer costs during an ATSC 3.0 transition, it is premature for the Commission to consider it at this time,” said the group. “Excluding a discussion about the FCC’s authority to create such a fund would alleviate PK's primary objection.”