A legislative subcommittee took testimony Wednesday about a controversial plan to lease ETV’s excess spectrum to private companies, Clearwire and Digital Bridge Communications.
A plan being considered by the state would lease out all but 5 percent of ETV’s excess capacity. The two companies will pay nearly $143 million to the state over a 30-year lease agreement and build wireless broadband networks that residents and businesses could subscribe to for a fee.
The S.C. Progressive Network and others want the state to retain a larger portion of the spectrum for future educational and governmental needs.
No conclusion was reached by the subcommittee. The State Budget and Control Board will have the final say.