Feb 4, 2005 10:57 AM

The Federal Communications Commission yesterday released the agenda for its monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 10, which includes a vote on the controversial item of cable companies’ obligations to carry multiple digital channels supplied by commercial broadcasters, also known as multicasting.

Many analysts believe the multicasting vote could have a large impact on the overall digital TV transition, the completion of which is a prerequisite to clearing broadcasters from the 700 MHz band that is considered to be premium spectrum for advanced commercial and public-safety uses.

Multiple reports indicate that the FCC will determine that cable operators are not required to carry more than one digital channel from a given broadcaster—an outcome long supported by the cable industry. Broadcasters disagree with this notion and reportedly are seeking to have the vote postponed.

On Monday, the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA)—the primary association for the cable industry—announced a tentative agreement with the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) calling for cable operators to carry as many four channels of digital content produced by public broadcasters during the next 10 years.

In another matter, the FCC will consider a notice of proposed rulemaking concerning the use of “white space” in the 900 MHz Business and Industrial Land Transportation Pool.

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