Blog | News & Information on Wireless Services & Telecommunications
Posted: 02/07/12 by Mobile Future Team
State regulators have gathered from across the country this week for the winter meeting of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) here in Washington. Mobile Future Chairman Jonathan Spalter participated on a lively panel exploring the exploding demand for mobile connectivity, and what a predicted spectrum crunch means for consumers and the nation’s economy.
Consider the benefits of mobile broadband: constant and instant connectivity with people around the world in the palm of your hand. Near limitless possibilities for innovation and investment. In the U.S., one of the crucial benefits of wireless is the impact on the economy. Researchers Robert Shapiro and KevinHassett concluded that transitions from early wireless networks to more advanced 3G and 4G technology led to some 1.5 million new jobs from April 2007 to June 2011. For every additional 10% increase in adoption of 3G and 4G technologies, 231,000 new jobs may be added in less than a year. Plus, with an additional 500 MHz of spectrum for mobile, the Analysis Group conservatively estimates that we can create 500,000 American jobs and add $400 billion to the nation’s GDP. Spectrum is the lifeblood of wireless, becoming more and more vital to our economy and how we conduct our everyday lives.
No one wants to go back to the days of the ‘busy signal.’ If we don’t reallocate more spectrum for wireless now, the capacity constraints could wreak havoc on the consumer experience - more dropped calls, stalled apps, and slow mobile Internet connections. State and federal regulators alike need to support policies that help get spectrum to those who need it the most – the 300 million wireless consumers.
So what can state policymakers do? Some states have the authority to review secondary market transactions within their state. Timely approval of thosetransactions is necessary so providers can swiftly make the best use of thespectrum that is available to them. Additionally, state regulators can help educate local municipalities. Acting as a resource on the capacity constraints of wireless networks may help to smooth tower siting approvals so providers can build out and expand their networks, allowing consumers to continue to enjoy unfettered access to mobile broadband.
State regulators should also encourage their federal counterparts to act now to free more spectrum for mobile. Congress is working on federal legislation authorizing the FCC to conduct incentive auctions and we strongly urge them to enact legislation quickly. As Jonathan said yesterday, “we need to stop playing games; it can take seven to 10 years to put any new spectrum into not only the pipeline but into commercial deployment. We don’t have time to waste.”
Consumers are demanding a mobile future. Policymakers must act now on these opportunities, before the spectrum crunch becomes a reality and millions of Americans are left waiting for many of the advantages mobile broadband can offer.
Posted: 01/31/12 by Jonathan Spalter
On Capitol Hill today lawmakers discussed the urgent need to address spectrum capacity to meet exploding consumer demand for wireless connectivity. And not a moment too soon. In today’s wireless market, data-intensive mobile devices are gobbling bandwidth at an astounding rate, literally sucking the oxygen out of the wireless ecosystem. In fact, the FCC’s own data shows the U.S. exhausting its current supply of mobile spectrum by 2013.
It’s critical that policymakers move immediately to sustain the pace of mobile innovation and investment in the United States. And one of the more immediate ways they can do is to move ahead now with voluntary spectrum auctions. Implementing a spectrum auction process that is open to all stakeholders will continue to fuel economic recovery and help ensure that consumers will have enough spectrum to meet exponentially growing demand in today’s competitive wireless market.
It is well documented that the expansion of licensed wireless broadband networks and services is driving economic growth, creating jobs, and enhancing productivity. In fact, a study released last week by economists Robert Shapiro and Kevin Hassett indicated the transition from 2G to 3G created almost 1.6 million jobs between April 2007 and June 2011, and the build out of 4G should add over 230,000 new U.S. jobs by the end of this year.
Now is the time for leadership. Policymakers on Capitol Hill, at the FCC and in the Administration must work together to chart a clear path to address the nation's immediate spectrum deficit. More than 300 million wireless consumers are waiting. And the clock is ticking.
Posted: 05/27/11 by Jonathan Spalter
Part of what makes America a global leader—from innovation, to our economy to our democracy—is the notion that we can always do better. It’s an important principle that keeps us on our toes and pushing the boundaries of progress. Currently in the world of mobile innovation, much attention is rightly focused on ensuring our nation keeps its competitive edge with the world—while reaping the many benefits of intensive wireless competition for consumers here at home.
From speculation about the Federal Communications Commission’s upcoming annual report on wireless competition, and the debates about the proposed purchase by AT&T of T-Mobile, we hear from many corners that our nation can do better. While I believe that is always the case, I fear that getting lost in the debate is the critical acknowledgement that our nation has the most competitive wireless market on earth. From innovative devices to exceptional value on our monthly bills to the boom in applications, our nation leads the world. And, while we push to make continued progress, it’s equally important that we stop and recognize the many things we’re already getting right.
In the early years of wireless, competition could be measured by a simple yardstick: How many carriers were in the market? That remains an important question, but many new ones deserve equal time. In today’s rich, diverse, and ever innovating mobile ecosystem, the benchmarks are far more complex and rapidly shifting. From applications and devices to new business models and market players, assessing the rapidly expanding mobile marketplace is a far more complex endeavor.
As important competition debates get underway, here are six things to consider:
1) 5+ National Carriers. Let’s start with the old stand-by—number of carriers—and face the elephant in the room: Even with an AT&T-T-Mobile merger, the vast majority of Americans will have no less than 5 national carriers to choose from—before you even get to the nimble regional players who are establishing a strong foothold in key markets today.
2) The Price is Right. Think about how you use your mobile device today versus just three years ago. U.S. consumers enjoy the lowest wireless per-minute voice prices in the world and have options to add data for as little as $15 a month. It all adds up to real value.
3) Diverse devices, diverse choices. Americans can choose from more than 630 devices supplied by at least 32 manufacturers... and counting. Our mobile hungry public is a magnet for intense competition in this segment of the marketplace, as well. The latest evidence? The early success of the iPad proved the viability and size of the fast-emerging tablet market and—thanks to competition—many other market players are joining the fray, including Samsung, Blackberry, Motorola and other tech heavyweights.
4) Apps Abound. It began with the introduction of Apple’s app store in 2008. Today, U.S. wireless customers can access nearly 1 million mobile applications from 26 competing apps stores. This marketplace has seen astronomical growth -- more than 10 billion app downloads from the Apple store alone by last count -- and is just getting started. By 2015, the “apps economy” is projected to generate $38 billion in sales—those are real jobs and economic opportunities flowing primarily to the U.S.
5) New Entrants, New Rivalries. With the current environment of constant innovation, new and serious competitors are emerging. Many in the tech world are closely watching Microsoft’s purchase of Skype. Is the Redmond company on the fast track to becoming the next major wireless provider? Will this new combination catalyze the nascent video chat market? Another potential disruptor is the recent claim of Google’s Eric Schmidt that the company’s Android phone wallet “could replace your credit card.” The mobile payment market barely exists in the U.S. today, but it is likely to take shape quickly and have far-reaching implications throughout the mobile ecosystem.
6) Customer Satisfaction. And let’s not forget what consumers themselves have to say about their mobile experience: 92% of U.S. wireless customers tell the FCC they are satisfied with their mobile service. Those are boffo numbers for any heavily used retail offering and a strong indication that value, innovation and choice abound.
Americans get an incredible amount of value and innovation from their mobile experience. And, in no small measure, credit is due to policymakers who for the past couple of decades have gotten it right by taking a light-touch approach to regulation. Their vigilance today is admirable—and appropriate. But it doesn’t change the fact that American mobile innovation remains the envy of the world and there’s no reason to believe consumers won’t continue to enjoy these mobile benefits and opportunities going forward. Without a doubt, we must stay on our toes to continue the success story, to continue to innovate, and to continue to stay competitive globally. But key to maintaining our edge is recognizing the extraordinary competition that has carved it so sharply to date.
Jonathan Spalter, chairman of Mobile Future, has been founding CEO of leading technology, media, and research companies, including Public Insight, Snocap, and Atmedica Worldwide. He served as an advisor to and spokesperson for Vice President Al Gore during the Clinton administration.
Mobile Future is a 501(c)(4) coalition comprised of and supported by technology businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals dedicated to advocating for an environment in which innovations in wireless technology and services are enabled and encouraged. For a full list of members and sponsors and to learn more about the coalition, go to www.mobilefuture.org.
Follow Jonathan Spalter on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mobilefuture
This article was originally published on Huffington Post.
Posted: 05/06/11 by Mobile Future Team
Earlier this week, Mobile Future Chairman Jonathan Spalter spoke on “The Next Internet Revolution” panel at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles. To watch the discussion, click here.
Posted: 04/18/11
Mobile Future Advisory Board Member Diane Smith discussed how technology advancements have allowed entrepreneurs to live and work in rural America in The Flathead Beacon, “Entrepreneurship in the New Rural America.”
As Smith stated:
“So long as a rural area has the proper wired and wireless technology infrastructure, entrepreneurs can set up shop with no large cities nearby, enabling them to enjoy the quality of life that places like Montana offer.”
To read the article, click here.
Posted: 01/05/11 by Mobile Future Team
Today, Mobile Future Chairman Jonathan Spalter will be moderating a panel at the 2011 International CES in Las Vegas called “Wireless Broadband: The Bright Mobile Future” where representatives from Qualcomm and T-Mobile will discuss the expansive range of innovations and new technologies that exemplify the power of mobile broadband.
Mobile Future is also sponsoring the “Best Mobile App” category at the 4th Annual Mashable Awards. Jonathan Spalter will be presenting the award tomorrow night. For more information on the award, click here.
Posted: 11/15/10 by Mobile Future Team
Today, NTIA released two reports – Plan and Timetable to Make Available 500 Megahertz of Spectrum for Wireless Broadband and An Assessment of the Near-Term Viability of Accommodating Wireless Broadband Systems – identifying federal spectrum in both the near future and long-term that could be used to meet President Obama’s 10-year goal of making available 500 MHz of new spectrum for wireless broadband. As the looming spectrum crunch grows closer, additional spectrum will allow innovation to continue and technologies in industries ranging from healthcare to education to grow.
In conjunction with the release of the highly anticipated spectrum reports, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and NTIA President Larry Strickling jointly penned an opinion piece in today’s WSJ focusing on the Administration’s goal of doubling the amount of commercial spectrum available over the next 10 years and calling for legislative action to encourage voluntary incentive auctions by private-sector spectrum holders.
From the article:
"The president's spectrum initiative not only presents a unique opportunity to catalyze innovation and investment, but is part of our overall strategy for sustainable economic growth and national competitiveness. Today's actions are important steps towards more efficient and effective government use of spectrum."
Responding to NTIA’s reports, Mobile Future Chairman Jonathan Spalter applauded the efforts of Locke, Strickling, and the organization at large and called for continued action to ensure we can sustain the frenetic pace of wireless innovation, stating:
“Mobile technology holds tremendous potential to connect consumers, create new jobs and stimulate our economy…While these recommendations are an important first step, much more work will need to be done to meet the looming spectrum crunch. The innovation, investment and competition that define the vibrant and ever-expanding wireless sector are absolutely dependent on access to significantly more spectrum.”
To read the full statement, click here.
Posted: 11/04/10 by Jonathan Spalter
With the pundits dissecting the meaning of the mid-term elections and the implications of the D.C. power shift, the conventional wisdom appears to be that little can or will get done in Washington. As the argument goes, Republicans now control the House of Representatives, so it is largely unthinkable that the two parties could work together on major issues. After all, another high-stakes election is "just around the corner" in 2012.
When folks speak up for bipartisanship, they tend to talk with sweeping historic references. The Civil Rights Act of 1964. The 'third-way' efforts of President Clinton. But a steady, ongoing precedent for meaningful cooperation exists right now in U.S. wireless policy.
Through periods of both Republican and Democratic leadership in Washington, U.S. mobile innovation has been carefully nurtured through policies that allow consumer choices and market competition to shape and direct its progress. This approach was largely rooted in Congress' bipartisan decision in 1993 to embrace a pro-innovation framework that favored competition over regulation.
How's it working out? The U.S. now has the most competitive mobile marketplace on earth--a fact that's documented in a new report from the Mobile Future coalition, entitled "Mobile Momentum: How Consumer-Driven Competition Shapes & Defines the Modern U.S. Wireless Landscape."
As the report documents, diverse consumer choices define every corner of the mobile marketplace. Two-thirds of Americans can choose from among five or more wireless providers and a broad array of service choices — from family plans to flat monthly "all in" voice, data and texting plans. Among the latest examples: Wal-Mart, in partnership with T-Mobile, is now offering $45 per month unlimited voice and texting — with no contract required. And, AT&T is advertising data plan add-ons for as little as $15 a month.
As a result of this competition, our nation is home to the world's lowest per-minute voice prices, the largest 3G customer base and is a leader in 4G network deployment. We enjoy the most competitive device and application markets, with more than 65 smartphones introduced to U.S. consumers in 2008 and 2009 alone and more than 300,000 apps available from at least 10 stores.
According to the FCC, wireless customer satisfaction rates stand at 92%. And, Americans are adopting wireless Internet access at a rate of 2:1 today over traditional wired broadband. Yet in its last competition report, the FCC declined to observe that the wireless marketplace was competitive, stating that it was holding back for "superior outcomes." While it's important that we set a high bar and there certainly are areas for improvement, it's equally imperative that we recognize our success to date.
It is a foundation FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski can build from, particularly on spectrum policy, to ensure wireless remains a catalyst for progress throughout our society.
To his credit, Chairman Genachowski has challenged all Americans — innovators, policy makers, and consumers — to work together in building a sustainable and comprehensive approach to managing America's spectrum in the years to come. His efforts, along with key initiatives by Larry Strickling at NTIA to identify and free up more spectrum, have been both visionary and timely. By working in a bipartisan way with the new Congress, as well as in a cooperative way with all stakeholders in the American mobile ecosystem, the FCC under Chairman Genachowski can make great strides in the coming months in harnessing innovation in policy, in our capital markets, and in industry, and set the stage for even more competition and innovation in our mobile and wireless sector.
And, thanks to robust competition, hundreds of billions of dollars in private investment offer the promise of driving next-generation infrastructure and helping to ensure the U.S. remains a global leader in mobile innovation. Since 2006, an average of $20 billion annually in private capital has flowed into U.S. mobile infrastructure. In fact, cumulative capital investment rose 8% from June 2009 to June 2010 — despite the current recession. This is essential progress for what President Obama calls "the next transformation in information technology."
The reality is that wireless has thrived because Washington, through the ebbs and flows of political fortunes, has made a purposeful decision to let consumers and innovators take the lead. Just as we need political leaders who reach across the aisle, so do we need mobile innovation to continue to thrive and evolve in robust and surprising ways — taking paths that are hard for static regulatory regimes to predict, let alone encourage.
As our society and economy prepare for the next wave of innovation, we need to acknowledge the path that got us this far: rapid, awe-inspiring innovation from a myriad of sources and profound private-sector risk-taking — all fueled by a bipartisan policy framework that showed rare restraint and clear deference to consumer choices in a competitive marketplace. There are many lessons to be learned from Tuesday. One is that while elections are inevitably partisan, sound policy that stands the test of time often is not.
This article was originally published on Huffington Post.
Posted: 10/20/10 by Mobile Future Team
Today, Mobile Future Chair Jonathan Spalter will speak on a panel about implementing the National Broadband Plan at the 4G World event in Chicago. The panel begins at 2:30pm, so be sure to come see us if you’re at the show!
Posted: 07/26/10 by Jonathan Spalter
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 — landmark legislation that ensures equal opportunity and accessibility for the 54 million, or one out of five, Americans living with some form of a disability. We have seen terrific progress over the past twenty years and there is still much work to be done.
One bright spot where new tools are being developed to help increase opportunity and independence for those with disabilities is in wireless. With technology leaping forward at warp speed, mobile innovators are developing new products, services and applications to both anticipate and meet evolving consumer demands and particularly the needs of those with disabilities.
For example, a smartphone uses voice activation on a mapping application to guide a visually impaired person walking down the street. Mobile screen readers narrate everything from the day's newspaper stories to email messages. And new mobile tools help distinguish between $5 and $10 dollar bills and cans of peas or corn on the pantry shelf.
Mobile Future's recently released white paper titled, "Mobile Ability: The Transformational Impact of Wireless Innovation for People with Disabilities" takes a closer look at how wireless technology can improve the quality of life and enhance inclusiveness for individuals with disabilities. The report explores how important the intersection of mobile innovation and broadband technology is for people with disabilities in the areas of employment, health care, education and emergency response.
Mobile technology has revolutionized communications worldwide, and in doing so, has reshaped the way society functions as a whole. Robust investment in wireless has allowed innovators to dream big and invent affordable and accessible technologies that provide consumers with advancements and opportunities never dreamed possible.
The ADA was a beacon of hope for millions of Americans and led to countless opportunities. But while we celebrate this monumental legislation this week, we must not forget that there is still more policymakers can do.
To help spur even more potential mobile solutions for those with disabilities, we must free up more spectrum to accommodate the looming mobile data crunch. We also need to remove barriers to technology like high taxes and fees on communications services. We must continue to encourage the strong collaboration between innovators and the disability community on mobile technologies. And, finally, policymakers must support efforts to modernize local 911 infrastructures.
As the FCC and Congress move forward to implement the National Broadband Plan, policymakers must strive to keep the goals of the ADA in mind and continue to uphold the wise regulatory policies that fuel innovation, competition and a consumer-driven mobile future for all.
This article was originally published on Huffington Post.
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