ABSTRACT
The process of providing spectrum for the use of a television station involves three stages. The first stage is called allocation and is the setting aside of a portion of the spectrum for the use of a given service, in this case the Advanced Television Service. The second stage, allotment, is the process of deciding which channels can be used in which cities. Finally, assignment, is the process of determining which specific channel among those allotted to a market will actually be used by each station. There are a number of possible methods for making the assignments, and these constitute some of the most significant differences between assignment proposals. The FCC suggested several possibilities in a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) a couple years ago. The FCC has dealt with the allotment and the assignment issues on separate occasions in the Advanced Television (ATV) proceeding.
