The broadcasters argue that they cannot afford to provide free over-the-air television if they are forced to bid on the digital licenses.

In 2010, Level 3 was able to take advantage of broadcasting at a higher standard of quality, after Channel 31 acquired a digital license,.

Temple secured a digital license for the station from the city in January and is negotiating with cable companies.

He said the agency might administer tests when it begins issuing digital licenses.

The station began was issued a digital license to cover on March 19, 2012.

Whether the Government should attach strings to digital licenses has been a politically charged issue since last year's election.

A better idea is to auction digital licenses to whoever can make good use of the spectrum, whether they be broadcasters, computer or paging companies.

The program was often cited as an example of the relevance of the channel and the necessity to grant it a digital license.

Channel 31 was finally granted a digital license in November 2009.

Congress need only look to Britain for a model by which digital licenses can be auctioned without wounding the broadcasters.