How to Avoid Spectrum Crunch

[Commentary] America has enormous infrastructure needs that will require the federal government, together with local governments, to make significant, high-value investments. In one critical area -- the revolution in mobile broadband communications -- the government doesn’t need to invest its own money, but instead can encourage private investment and make a profit for taxpayers along the way.

That is exactly what is happening now at the Federal Communications Commission’s 2015 spectrum auction, as the agency is facilitating the sale of spectrum that will be repurposed for mobile broadband use. Bidding has topped $44 billion, and the proceeds will fund the first-ever nationwide network for first responders, pay down the deficit, and cover adjustment costs for federal agencies that previously used the spectrum. The auction is an important step toward President Obama ’s goal of freeing up 500 megahertz of spectrum by 2020, nearly doubling the amount available for mobile broadband use. The Obama administration will continue to take an all-of-the-above approach to making more spectrum available, one of the most critical infrastructure projects of the 21st century.

[Furman is the chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers and Smith is the US Chief Technology Officer]