Hoarding: Buried Alive Under Misinformation
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.”
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.