We can probably all agree that spectrum policy is one of the more important issues facing us today. Congress and the FCC will have to juggle both the growing demand for wireless broadband and the needs of public safety organizations and first responders.

But even though our nation’s spectrum needs are already a complicated issue, there are some who seem determined to muddy the waters. I refer to recent “charges” – more like accusations – that current licensees – including that cable industry licensees – are “warehousing” and “hoarding” spectrum.

As we pointed out in a recent letter to Members of Congress, we are big believers in broadband and have spent tens of billions of dollars over the past decade to bring it to market, including investments in wireless businesses across a range of technologies and business models.

For example, the letter refers to a variety of projects across the country, such as BendBroadband’s deployment of a high-speed wireless network in Oregon, utilizing Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum, and cable’s investment in Clearwire, which has deployed an advanced 4G WiMAX network, currently offering service in 88 cities. (See previous posts on this topic here and here. Also see this.)

This point-of-view was echoed last week by FCC Chairman Genachowski. In an address at the Mobile Future Forum in Washington, D.C., he addressed the idea that “some licensees, such as cable and wireless companies, are just sitting on top of, or ‘hoarding,’ unused spectrum that could readily solve that problem.” He pointedly said, “That’s just not true.”

(See coverage here and here.)

Anyone involved in rolling out these services understands that it takes years to clear AWS spectrum of incumbent licensees and build out an advanced broadband wireless network. Cable companies have paid billions of dollars at auction for that spectrum and have every incentive to put their investment to work.

As I said, this is an important issue and one would hope that all the members of the telecommunications space could work together on solutions, instead of flinging disinformation. Let’s hope we can now consider the air cleared.

In a discussion involving the people responsible for wireless strategies at America’s largest cable companies, one thing was clear – there is no single path they are taking to deliver wireless.  Cathy Avgiris of Comcast, John Bickham of Cablevision, Stephen Bye from Cox Communications, Frank Miller of Bend Broadband, and Mike Roudi from Time Warner Cable spoke today at The Cable Show in Los Angeles, on the panel “Spectrum of Possibility: Technology & Strategy for the Business of Wireless Communications.”

While most noted the agreement between industry players Sprint and Clearwire to provide mobile outside their service areas, there were differing business plans on display.  Stephen Bye noted Cox Communications plans to build its own wireless network using current 3G technology, but also noted the ease of upgrading to LTE in the longer term.  That approach puts Cox at odds with most of the other operators.

Comcast’s Avgiris, for instance, noted the different approach cable operators had taken to telephony years ago.  Rather than try to develop a circuit-switched network, many cable operators began pursuing a VoIP solution that would allow them to be competitive without high upfront costs.

Similarly, Avgiris said companies like Comcast and Time Warner are looking at Wi-Fi networks and dual mode smartphones to deliver their wireless offerings.

Cablevision’s Bickham discussed the deployment of their Optimum WiFi service in the New York area (see this earlier post), and the agreement between Time Warner, Comcast, and Cablevision to allow Wi-Fi roaming across each others’ networks (see this Multichannel News article).

All agreed that wireless would be a key part of the bundle of services offered by cable operators, but most spoke to the consumer benefits of that.  It’s no longer about bundling services just to save money, it’s about the experience.  When customers can use their mobile device as a gateway and player for their home based services, that becomes a powerful driver for consumer interaction.