FCC Chair Carr Given Position on LA28 Olympics Advisory Group

FCC Chair Carr Given Position on LA28 Olympics Advisory Group

The 2028 Summer Olympics, set to take place across more than 40 venues in Los Angeles, southern California, and Oklahoma City, is rapidly approaching. As the event draws near, various organisations are working tirelessly to ensure its success. One such organisation is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The FCC is actively managing spectrum to support the Olympics, with key focus on spectrum auctions and transitioning broadcast technology. Regarding spectrum auctions, there are ongoing proposals and controversies around selling large blocks of spectrum, including 800 MHz bands adjacent to critical aviation frequencies. Such auctions risk interference with public safety functions, a concern highlighted by experts and officials, especially given past issues in similar spectrum reallocation auctions. The FCC must balance auctioning spectrum for commercial uses (e.g., 5G) while safeguarding public safety and critical communications needed for major events like the 2028 Olympics.

On the broadcast side, the industry—led by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and backed by 50 state broadcast associations—has urged the FCC to approve a firm "sunset" deadline in February 2028 for ATSC 1.0 broadcasts in the 55 largest U.S. markets, transitioning fully to ATSC 3.0 by then, with remaining stations completing the transition by 2030. This transition promises enhanced capabilities vital for public safety, local news, and national security, all critical for the Olympics broadcast environment. However, some broadcasters and device manufacturers have opposed mandates requiring all TVs to include ATSC 3.0 tuners. The resolution emphasizes the industry’s push to enable NextGen TV’s full benefits by eliminating the dual broadcasting requirement (airing both ATSC 1.0 and 3.0 simultaneously) to free spectrum and improve service.

The FCC is also engaged in coordinating with other federal agencies and the White House Task Force created specifically for the LA 2028 Olympics, to ensure spectrum availability and security are maintained during the games. Public safety communications and cybersecurity around spectrum use are receiving heightened attention from agencies like CISA, highlighting the critical need for robust infrastructure and cyber defenses ahead of the event.

In summary, the FCC's preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics involve a proposed sunset of ATSC signals in Feb. 2028 in the top 55 markets, including L.A., to fully deploy ATSC 3.0. The FCC is also managing spectrum auctions, including those involving 800 MHz bands, while balancing the need for commercial uses with the critical importance of public safety and critical communications for major events. The FCC is working closely with federal agencies, the White House Task Force for LA 2028, broadcasters, and emergency communications stakeholders to manage spectrum efficiently and securely for the event.

1. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is working on the spectrum for the 2028 Summer Olympics, with a significant focus on spectrum auctions and transitioning broadcast technology.
2. Regarding spectrum auctions, there are ongoing proposals and debates about selling large blocks of spectrum, such as the 800 MHz bands, which are adjacent to critical aviation frequencies.
3. The FCC, in balancing auctioning spectrum for commercial uses, like 5G, must ensure it doesn't interfere with public safety functions and critical communications needed for major events.
4. On the broadcast front, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and state broadcast associations are pushing for the FCC to approve a sunset deadline in February 2028 for ATSC 1.0 broadcasts in the 55 largest U.S. markets.
5. This transition to ATSC 3.0 is crucial for enhancing capabilities vital for public safety, local news, and national security, all significant factors in the Olympics broadcast environment.
6. The FCC is also collaborating with other federal agencies, the White House Task Force, broadcasters, and emergency communications stakeholders to manage spectrum efficiently and securely for the event.
7. Cybersecurity around spectrum use is receiving heightened attention from agencies like CISA, emphasizing the need for robust infrastructure and cyber defenses ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics.

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