The Federal Communications Commission issued final rules for channel sharing. The rules are the result of the recently passed Jobs Act that provides for voluntary incentive auctions of broadcast spectrum.

The FCC stressed that channel sharing is voluntary and that broadcasters and other licensees of spectrum will determine whether they want to enter into sharing arrangements. The FCC expects channel sharing to free up spectrum for wireless broadband providers.

Channel sharing doesn’t mean that an over-the-air broadcaster’s only option is to give up its entire spectrum and go out of business. Broadcasters should be able to retain just enough spectrum for one standard definition program stream, while sharing the rest of its 6MHz channel.

Overall, sounds like a non-intrusive policy for freeing up some spectrum for the mobile types while keeping the over-the-air broadcasters operational.

Interesting article on TVNews Check. It shares the insights of Post-Newsweek president Alan Frank on the FCC’s proposed voluntary incentive auction. Mr. Frank describes the auction as “Leno in prime time.”

Not once have I heard NAB make reference to consumer benefits from wireless companies obtaining more spectrum. Broadcasters, because of the Internet, have options for distributing their programming. Consumers cannot use broadcast TV to access the Internet or make phone calls.

The increasing demand for these services plus the increase in time spent on line versus decrease in time spent watching broadcast television should be enough evidence that a reallocation of spectrum is needed.