My Kingdom for a Hertz: Can Washington Keep the Mobile Revolution Going?

My Kingdom for a Hertz: Can Washington Keep the Mobile Revolution Going?

Information Technology & Innovation Foundation
Tuesday May 15, 2012
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Rayburn House Office Building (B-318)

Two years ago, the National Broadband Plan recommended the government allocate 300 MHz of new spectrum to mobile broadband and 200 MHz of new spectrum to fixed wireless networks. Since then, 20 MHz has been reserved for a Public Safety Network, 40 MHz has been taken out to protect GPS receivers, the DOD has asked for 10 years and $18 billion to relocate government applications in the 1755-1850 MHz band, Congress has constrained the DTV Incentive Auction, and demand for mobile network capacity has continued to grow.

We are moving backwards while some question the need more spectrum at all. What can policymakers do to meet the National Broadband Plan's goal, and what are the alternatives in case it's not achievable?

Participants:
Neeta A. Bidwai
Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Senator Mark Warner

Shawn Chang
Senior Democratic Counsel, The Committee on Energy and Commerce

Neil Fried
Chief Counsel House committee on Energy and Commerce

Matthew Hussey
Legislative Assistant, Office of Senator Olympia Snowe

John Leibovitz
Deputy Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, FCC

Karl Nebbia
Deputy Associate Administrator, NTIA Spectrum Management

Moderator:
Richard Bennett
Senior Research Fellow, ITIF