In others, the presence of unused NTSC allotments would result in crowding that would reduce the expected service areas of the DTV allotments. If vacant allotments are retained, less spectrum would be available for recovery for other uses. The Commission is proposing to eliminate all vacant NTSC allotments. The Commission recognizes the special consideration noncommercial allotments deserves and is asking for comments on how to treat these allotments. File comments expressing your support for noncommercial, public service media outlets.
Public broadcasting plays a crucial role in lifelong learning in the information age.
Like the public library, it is available to all Americans regardless of ability to pay, it is based in and responsive to the cities and towns and villages that make up the fabric of this country, and, in countless ways, it is helping users better understand and appreciate the world around them. Any reallocation of vacant, noncommercial allotments should be used to protect the substantial federal, state and local investment in the Public Broadcasting System. In a time of decreased Federal support for public broadcasting, these stations will be financially strapped when trying to make the costly transition to the digital format. The investment of the American public is at great risk. LPTV stations serve small geographic areas across the country.