The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) strongly endorsed the findings in “OBI Technical Paper Series #6 – Mobile Broadband: The Benefits of Additional Spectrum,” a study released today by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) during the Spectrum Summit, which assesses the impending spectrum shortage and the significant economic benefits to making additional spectrum available for broadband.
“In its study, the FCC has comprehensively examined the factors at the heart of the incredible and immediate need for additional spectrum for broadband,” said Grant Seiffert, president, TIA. “As the report indicates, the skyrocketing demand for new technologies, applications, and devices will likely result in a 3,506 per cent increase in wireless data growth in 2014, compared to 2009. Even accounting for the significant increased spectral efficiency resulting from technological advancements, the report expects our nation to have a deficit of approximately 275 MHz by 2014. However, if we make up this deficit, we will save approximately $120 billion in capital expenses to accommodate mobile data demand in 2014,” Seiffert continued.
“The FCC’s report shows that, as America works to revive its economy, we must make tough choices and transition to high-value, high-return broadband spectrum use. TIA is pleased that the FCC is reinforcing the recommendation in the National Broadband Plan calling for the allocation of 300 MHz of additional spectrum for broadband uses within five years through this detailed and thoughtful analysis and by hosting today’s summit. TIA also wholeheartedly supports the President’s and the FCC’s plan to allocate 500 MHz of spectrum for broadband within 10 years.”
“As we work to allocate spectrum for broadband, the FCC should be given the authority by Congress to conduct voluntary incentive auctions. With this authority, the FCC can evaluate what the opportunity cost is for the current spectrum use. Voluntary incentive auctions will encourage incumbents to relinquish spectrum for commercial broadband, while also enabling them access to funds for potential new business models and opportunities ? creating a win-win scenario. The FCC’s report drives home the need for swift action to avoid a spectrum crisis, and we urge Congress to act immediately to set the voluntary incentive auction process in motion,” Seiffert concluded.
