FCC's Epstein, Symons Deserve 'Benefit of Any Doubt,' Padden Says

Any petitions of reconsideration filed against the FCC auction rules approved Thursday “would serve no purpose other than to enrich some lawyers,” said Expanding Opportunities for Broadcasters Coalition's Executive Director Preston Paddenin a blog post Friday. Incentive Auction Task Force Chairman Gary Epstein and Vice Chairman Howard Symons are “old pros” who “did not need their jobs at the FCC,” Padden said. “They believe that the auction will be a success and they deserve the benefit of any doubt.” The situations under which the procedures public notice and other auction rules would lead to impairment are worst-case scenarios only, Padden said. “The reality of the auction almost certainly will create more clear wireless spectrum,” he said. “The incentive auction is offering broadcasters a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to monetize their spectrum right in the middle of turbulent times in our industry.”