"The FCC in recent years has authorized a 3-fold increase in commercial spectrum. The problem is many anticipate a 30-fold increase in wireless traffic."

--FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, 10/7/2009

Mobility is changing virtually every aspect of modern society. Americans turn to wireless for far more than phone calls and texts, particularly as next-generation devices essentially put the Internet in the palms of our hands. Whether watching video, connecting with friends, staying on top of work or accessing information, mobile connectivity is central to our lives — and the innovation it promises our nation has only just begun.

If Americans live and breathe mobility, then spectrum is the wireless equivalent of oxygen. It is the finite amount of radio waves that connect people and devices without that pesky cord. Everything from digital textbooks to connected laptops to cell phones to baby monitors use spectrum. Simply put, spectrum makes all wireless connectivity possible.

So what’s the issue? As we increasingly rely on mobile connectivity throughout our society, demand for spectrum is increasing exponentially. This means the government, which controls how this precious and finite resource is utilized, must move quickly and responsibly to make more spectrum available to keep pace with consumer demand and to enable the next wave of mobile innovation and economic opportunities.

Why we care

• The clock is ticking. Wireless Internet usage is projected to grow at 100 times the rate of wireless voice traffic over the next 10 years. Translation: A serious supply-demand imbalance is headed our way — unless the government moves quickly to make more spectrum available to keep pace with consumer demand.
• Adding wireless capacity is a years-long effort. Adding to the time pressure is the fact that the allocation of spectrum is just the beginning. Rules must be established. Public auctions must be conducted. And, networks across the nation must be upgraded to take full advantage of these new resources. The process typically takes six to ten years. Translation: We need to start n-o-w.
• More spectrum means more innovation and more jobs. Not only are consumers using far more capacity on their mobile devices, but increasingly mobility is being embedded in every kind of product — from the medical records doctor’s reference at a patient’s bedside to the modern tools first responders use to save lives to the mobile commerce options entrepreneurs rely on to grow their businesses and create jobs. Without question this innovation enhances our society, but the laws of physics are immutable. We will reach the limits of existing spectrum and more must be made available for all of this connectivity and innovation to continue.

Our point of view

• Spectrum must be a top 2010 FCC priority. The good news: FCC Chairman Genachowski has made clear that spectrum allocation is an urgent national priority. He fully recognizes the scope and nature of the problem and has called for prompt action to avert a ‘looming spectrum crisis.’ Mobile innovators are eager to work closely with the Commission to help make way for the next wave of wireless innovation and the many benefits it will bring to the American people and our nation’s economy.
• Focus on the greatest good. The Chairman has stated that the FCC will work to reallocate unused and obsolete spectrum. We support these efforts and hope that the FCC will move forward promptly and effectively to make large amounts of spectrum available to meet the fast-growing needs of our nation’s more than 275 million wireless consumers.
• Efficiency matters. While spectrum is finite, demand appears virtually limitless. Substantially more spectrum must be made available quickly for consumers and our economy. Additionally, innovative new technological approaches that use spectrum more efficiently should be supported and encouraged by the private and public sectors alike. Central to these efforts is ensuring network engineers have continued flexibility to explore new ways to manage rapidly rising volumes of traffic.
• Support investment. As the government makes more spectrum available, it is essential to keep in mind the billions of dollars in additional investment that are necessary to put this spectrum to its most high-impact use across our nation. Policies that promote ongoing private sector investment are key to continued wireless innovation and to meeting consumer demand for next-generation mobile services and applications.

Our bottom line

America deserves a mobile future that is defined by perpetual innovation, progress and growth. The FCC’s efforts to allocate more spectrum to wireless networks represent an essential national undertaking to promote the continued growth and expansion of mobile innovation and all that it is delivering to consumers and our economy. Auctioning this spectrum will yield substantial income for the U.S. government, but the far greater dividends will be jobs, economic growth and broad innovation throughout our society.