Can You Really Have Too Much Spectrum?
The Federal Communications Commission has issued a notice seeking comment on whether more radio spectrum is needed for wireless broadband services. The notice is part of the Commission’s process in crafting a national broadband plan, which is due to Congress in February 2010.
The Federal Communications Commission has issued a notice seeking comment on whether more radio spectrum is needed for wireless broadband services. The notice is part of the Commission’s process in crafting a national broadband plan, which is due to Congress in February 2010.
The FCC says several entities have commented that the U.S. will not have sufficient spectrum available to meet the demands for wireless broadband in the near future. As such, the FCC is seeking answers to a number of questions:
- Are current spectrum allocations enough to support near- and long-term demands for wireless broadband?
- What is the ability of current spectrum allocations to support next-generation build-outs and the anticipated surge in demand and throughput requirements?
- What spectrum bands are best positioned to support mobile or fixed wireless broadband?
- What are the key issues in moving spectrum allocations toward their highest and best use in the public interest?
- What ability does current spectrum allocations have to support both the fixed and mobile wireless backhaul market?
These are some of the questions the FCC wants answered, and is receiving input on, through October 23.
