In their effort to derail any plan to reallocate broadcast spectrum to wireless broadband operators, the broadcasters have an important ally on Capitol Hill: Rep. John Dingell, the former head of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

In a letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski dated Nov. 16, the Michigan Democrat writes that "a further loss of spectrum by broadcasters may have an adverse effect upon consumers by limiting their choice in available broadcast television."

According to Dingell, the FCC "can accomplish its statutorily mandated duty to complete a national broadband plan and promote expansion of broadband infrastructure in the near-term, while at the same time preserve to the greatest extent possible for consumers the availability of free, over-the-air, local broadcasting."

Dingell also points out that broadcasters have already surrendered nearly one-third of their spectrum when they made the more from analog to digital transmission earlier this year.