According to Amy Shatz over at the Wall Street Journal, the FCC is considering taking some additional spectrum from TV broadcasters and auctioning it to wireless carriers in order to beef up the nation's wireless broadband infrastructure. The idea, which may or may not be included in the FCC's national broadband plan (scheduled to be unveiled in February), could address what the FCC is calling "a looming spectrum gap."

As they're doing with most every other broadband industry subject, the FCC recently asked for comments regarding how people think the nation should best approach shoring up this spectrum shortfall. The Consumer Electronics Association responded by estimating Uncle Sam could make up to $62 billion if it took back all the spectrum in the possession of the TV industry. The study estimated it could require up to $12 billion in payments to broadcasters for the spectrum, and then about $9 billion to transition free digital broadcast customers to subscription cable services.

Obviously, broadcasters aren't too thrilled by that idea, and lashed out at the study, complaining that it "ignores the immeasurable public benefit of a vibrant free and local broadcasting system." Transferring all of the TV industry's spectrum is highly unlikely given it would require transferring all TV viewers to subscription cable service after the FCC just spent $2.15 billion on the digital broadcast transition.

Even asking the TV industry to give up slivers of spectrum will likely be fought by broadcast lobbyists. Of course fans of free over the air digital broadcasts probably wouldn't much like the idea either. Of course it's just that -- an idea -- and discussing how to make the most of the wireless spectrum available is precisely the conversation the FCC's looking to have.