The National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA) today released a pivotal report recognizing
the near-impossibility of clearing more Federal spectrum for auction.
The NTIA report is here.
The following is attributed to Harold Feld,
legal director of Public Knowledge:
“This is a watershed moment because
the government recognizes that new approaches are needed to spectrum
policy. We can no longer rely on
squeezing more spectrum from Federal users to meet our ever-expanding needs for
wireless services.
“The report’s recommendation to rely
on policies such as spectrum sharing and enhanced efficiency for Federal
spectrum users and the accompanying technical innovations marks the first step
toward a sustainable wireless future.
We hope this approach will be used in the future as more Federal
spectrum is identified as a resource to be shared with the public.
“The time has passed to consider
spectrum solely as a source of revenue.
Today’s action places the emphasis where it should be — on getting more
spectrum to the public for greater use while meeting Federal needs, regardless
of the budget consequences.
Continuing down the path that considers spectrum auction as the main
vehicle for spectrum policy will only add needless delay to freeing spectrum
for the public.”