Evaluate the Effectiveness of Secondary Spectrum Markets

Recommendation #30

FCC Chapter: 5.7

Status: Started

The Federal Communications Commission should evaluate the effectiveness of its secondary markets policies and rules to promote access to unused and underutilized spectrum.

To ensure that secondary markets are functioning effectively, the FCC should identify and address barriers to more productive allocation and use of spectrum through secondary markets. The FCC should complete its assessment of potential barriers by the end of 2010.

The FCC should examine additional positive incentives that may assist in the development of secondary markets, such as
reducing secondary market transaction costs like lease filing costs, and encouraging and facilitating the use of dynamic spectrum leasing arrangements that harness emerging technologies.

The FCC should also consider a more systematic set of incentives, both positive and negative, to ensure productive use of spectrum to address broadband gaps in underserved areas.