Don’t overlook potential of unlicensed spectrum

[Commentary] As the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prepares for the world’s first incentive auction to provide more spectrum for mobile broadband services, we have a unique opportunity to fuel a new generation of unlicensed innovation, supporting rural broadband, connected hospitals, and smart grid networking. The FCC should ensure that when it issues the rules for the upcoming incentive auction, it balances the needs for unlicensed and licensed spectrum by structuring it to include nationwide bands of spectrum dedicated for unlicensed use and innovation. This will produce enormous economic benefits and could yield untold technological discovery.