Implementing the National Broadband Plan | Recommendations | Spectrum policy

Create a public safety broadband network

Recommendation #195
FCC Chapter: 16.1

Status: In progress

Create a public safety broadband network.

Increase funding to public media

Recommendation #186
FCC Chapter: 15.6
Congress should consider increasing funding to public media for broadband-based distribution and content.

Encourage Intelligent Transportation Systems

Recommendation #149
FCC Chapter: 12.14

Status: Started

Encourage Intelligent Transportation Systems

Identify new uses for federal spectrum that consider the requirements of the Smart Grid

Recommendation #140
FCC Chapter: 12.5

Status: In progress

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Federal Communications Commission should continue their joint efforts to identify new uses for federal spectrum and should consider the requirements of the Smart Grid.

Allow utilities to use the proposed public safety 700MHz wireless broadband network

Recommendation #139
FCC Chapter: 12.4

Status: In progress

Congress should consider amending the Communications Act to enable utilities to use the proposed public safety 700MHz wireless broadband network.

Explore the potential of mobile broadband access as a gateway to inclusion

Recommendation #91
FCC Chapter: 9.6

Status: In progress

The federal government should explore the potential of mobile broadband access as a gateway to inclusion.

Require new spectrum licensees to provide a free or very low-cost broadband service tier

Recommendation #87
FCC Chapter: 9.2
The Federal Communications Commission should consider free or very low-cost wireless broadband as a means to address the affordability barrier to adoption.

Create the Mobility Fund

Recommendation #66
FCC Chapter: 8.3

Status: In progress

The Federal Communications Commission should create the Mobility Fund.

Establish more flexible experimental licensing rules for spectrum and facilitate the use of this spectrum by researchers

Recommendation #63
FCC Chapter: 7.7

Status: In progress

The Federal Communications Commission should start a rulemaking process to establish more flexible experimental licensing rules for spectrum and facilitate the use of this spectrum by researchers.

Fund Wireless Testbeds

Recommendation #62
FCC Chapter: 7.6

Status: Started

The National Science Foundation, in consultation with the Federal Communications Commission, should fund both a wireless testbed for promoting the science underlying spectrum policymaking and a testbed for evaluating the network security needed to provide a secure broadband infrastructure.