Patrick Welsh

Companies like Verizon have pushed hard for policymakers to identify new spectrum to meet consumer needs. Bringing new spectrum to market will help the wireless industry increase broadband speeds, which will fuel innovation.

Verizon continues to support auctioning spectrum for flexible, exclusive use. Verizon is encouraging new research into and testing of different ways to allow commercial and government users to have shared access to spectrum when it cannot be cleared. The Federal Communications Commission is exploring these approaches too.

A good example is its proceeding on the 3.5 GHz band. The government currently operates military radar in the 3.5 GHz band.

These operations cannot easily be moved to different frequencies. Building on recommendations by President Obama’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), the FCC is proposing making this 3.5 GHz band available for commercial use on a shared basis. This spectrum could then be used by the wireless industry to increase network capacity in high-demand areas like stadiums, college campuses, or airports.