Changing Channels: Voluntary Reallocation of UHF Television Spectrum

Evan Kwerel and John Williams.  

OSP Working Paper 27 (Nov 1992) estimates that the voluntary reallocation of a single UHF television channel in Los Angeles from broadcasting operations to a third cellular telephone system would likely increase social welfare by over one billion dollars. The paper proposes that one such voluntary reallocation be permitted in each television market, subject to a streamlined benefit-cost test.  It also suggests that such a voluntary reallocation approach could be applied usefully in other areas of the spectrum.