CEA Files Comments Urging the FCC to Evaluate and Protect Our Nation's Valuable Spectrum

Work with Economist Analyzes Value of Broadcast Spectrum
ARLINGTON, Va.--(Business Wire)--
Today, in a filing to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Consumer
Electronics Association (CEA)® urged the FCC to initiate immediate action to
assess spectrum usage and determine how additional spectrum can be allocated for
wireless broadband and other uses.

"We are currently facing a crisis in wireless high-speed broadband
availability," said CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro. "We encourage the
Commission to immediately begin an inventory of spectrum usage. At the same
time, it is important to begin developing a model for determining how to
identify and reallocate spectrum."

CEA worked with economist Coleman Bazelon to develop a model that considers the
value and efficiency of use of the broadcast TV spectrum, which currently
occupies nearly 300 megahertz. CEA submitted this data, The Need for Additional
Spectrum for Wireless Broadband: The Economic Benefits and Costs of
Reallocations, as one approach to the type of analysis that should be considered
by the FCC. The Commission should request further data to analyze and identify
spectrum that may be reallocated for higher uses.

"The fact is we need more spectrum to continue to fulfill spiraling consumer
demand. We do have swaths of underutilized or inefficiently used spectrum,"
concluded Shapiro. "We must work together to ensure this spectrum crisis does
not threaten our national priorities and competitiveness."

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association
promoting growth in the $172 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More
than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative
advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion
and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also sponsors and
manages the International CES - Where Entertainment, Technology and Business
Converge. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA`s industry services. Find
CEA online at www.CE.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS

* CES New York Press Preview featuring CES Unveiled @ NY
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* Future of Television East
November 18-19, 2009, New York, NY

* 2010 International CES
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* Greener Gadgets
February 25, 2010, New York, NY

Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)
Meghan Henning, 703-907-7654
mhenning@CE.org
www.CE.org
or
Megan Pollock, 703-907-7668
mpollock@CE.org

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