Joe,
I'm guessing the document you refer to is worded such as it is in the interests of simplicity. Although I agree that it seems like it, they are not actually referring to the actual, "physical" channel number which is currently in use by analog stations. Broadcasters get to choose which of their 2 current allocations(Digital or analog) to use for their digital station after the analog shutoff.
Furthermore, the frequencies to be auctioned off are not specifically the frequenices in any given area that analog channels are currently broadcasting on, instead, they are the frequenices used by TV channels 52-69.
Follows is a portion of the relavent information straight from the FCC's
"Sixth Report And Order" -- in the matter of Advanced Television Systems and Their Impact Upon the Existing Television Broadcast Service", which is a portion of a set of rules, or guidelines created for broadcasters+the DTV transistion in order to "regulate" the portion of spectrum used. (Note: NTSC=Analog, BTW) :
"84. We also will allow broadcasters, wherever feasible, to switch their DTV service to their existing NTSC channels at the end of the transition if they so desire. Such channel switches would be permitted provided that the station's existing channel is within the final DTV core spectrum. Stations, with both NTSC and DTV channels outside the core spectrum, will be assigned new channels within the core from recovered spectrum."
The entire text of the Sixth Report and order can be downloaded from here:
http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineeri.../fcc97115.html
Links to other FCC rulemaking relating to the DTV transistion can be found here:
http://www.fcc.gov/dtv
Note -- You'll also find info on the adoption of channels 2-51 as the DTV core channels in these documents, including the addition of channels 2-6 to the core, and why they were added, as well as info on reclaiming the add'l spectrum of channels 52-69.
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More pertinent info from FCC site:
Follows is From the current DTV FAQ from FCC website which is located at
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/policy/dtv/ -- note that it says "one of the two channels", it doesn't specify which one:
"At the end of the transition period -- which is now scheduled for the year 2006 -- broadcasters will be required to surrender one of the two channels".
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More pertinent info on this matter, as quoted from
http://ftp.fcc.gov/oet/faqs/dtvfaqs.html
"Question: What are the channel assignments for digital television?
Answer: Under the FCC spectrum plan, we have provided most existing broadcasters with access to a 6 MHz channel for digital broadcasting within a core digital TV spectrum, i.e., TV channels 2 to 51. Because of the limited availability of spectrum and the need to accommodate all existing facilities with minimal interference among stations, however, during the transition some broadcasters would be provided DTV channels outside of this core spectrum (channels 52 to 69). These broadcasters would have to move their DTV operations to a channel in the core spectrum when one became available. Broadcasters whose existing NTSC channels were in the core spectrum could move their DTV operations to their NTSC channel at some time in the future. Broadcasters whose DTV transition channel and existing NTSC channel were both outside of the core area could obtain a new DTV channel when channels in the core spectrum are recovered.
After the transition period (2006), the VHF channels (2-13) will remain available for DTV and the analog TV service will end on all channels. "
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Perhaps a more understandable "summary" of important issues affecting the DTV transistion can be found at the website at
http://www.vrtual1.com/hdtvdtv/index.html in the "DTV LAW" section, which contains the following summary in the "Reorganizing and Reclaiming the Spectrum" subsection :
"Core TV Channels: The Commission has designated Channels 2 through 51 as the core channels. Its goal is to eventually move all television stations within this spectrum. Most stations currently have both an NTSC and a DTV channel assigned within this core. These stations will be permitted to pick which channel they wish to retain permanently; but, they must return the other channel to the FCC when the transition to digital is complete."
"Assignments Outside of the Core: Not all stations were assigned DTV allotments within the core. As a result, some stations will be required to move their DTV broadcast to a channel within the core at the end of the transition period. Twelve stations have both NTSC and DTV assignments outside the core. They will be able to move onto an available channel within the core, either during the transition or at its end, without the risk of facing a competing application."
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Is it as clear as mud now ?
