LPTV Broadcasters Urge FCC’s Carr To Grant TV Broadcasting The Same Tech Freedom As Cellular

The LPTV Broadcasters Association has sent a formal letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr calling for immediate regulatory action to modernize low-power television by recognizing the worldwide 3GPP 5G Broadcast standard as a voluntary transmission option for LPTV stations.

The letter urges the FCC to fast-track a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in response to HC2 Broadcasting’s 2025 Petition for Rulemaking (MB Docket No. 25-168) and move expeditiously toward final rules. This step would allow nimble LPTV operators to deliver linear TV, live events, emergency alerts and datacasting directly to millions of 5G- and 6G-enabled smartphones and tablets — no additional hardware or SIM card required.

“Broadcast television has been stuck in the regulatory Stone Age while cellular technology has advanced at lightning speed,” said Frank Copsidas, chairman and founder of the LPTV Broadcasters Association. “Recognizing 3GPP 5G Broadcast under Part 74 will unleash a major new opportunity for investment. Industry forecasts show the U.S. market for 5G Broadcast services and infrastructure is poised to grow tenfold over the next five years. It’s time to delete this outdated dichotomy and give American broadcasters — especially agile LPTV operators — the tools to capture this explosive growth while strengthening emergency communications and delivering the mobile-first experience consumers demand.”

Key Benefits of 5G Broadcast Highlighted in the Letter:

• Direct-to-mobile delivery of live TV and content to any compatible phone or tablet in receive-only mode.
• Ultra-fast emergency alerts (under ½ second) that function even when cellular networks are overwhelmed.
• Hybrid unicast/broadcast networks for greater efficiency and resilience.
• A powerful terrestrial backup for positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services when GPS is jammed or unavailable.
• Rapid global iteration driven by leaders like Qualcomm, Ericsson, and handset manufacturers.

The LPTV service, created in 1982 to promote flexibility, localism and innovation, is the ideal proving ground for this technology, the group says. “With over 2,300 recent applications for new and modified LPTV stations, the demand for fresh voices and modern delivery methods is clear. The combination of regulatory approval and explosive market growth creates a compelling investment opportunity for broadcasters, technology partners, and investors.”

This request, LPTV Broadcasters Association adds, “aligns directly with Chairman Carr’s leadership on deregulation, spectrum innovation, and his ‘Delete, Delete, Delete’ initiative to remove outdated barriers that hinder American entrepreneurs and small businesses.”

“The spectrum, technology, and Q3 2026 smartphone rollouts are ready,” the letter concludes. “The only missing piece is forward-looking policy.”

The full letter is available here.

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