The search for more spectrum

If President Barack Obama’s goal of repurposing 500 MHz of spectrum for commercial broadband use is to have any chance of success, some of that spectrum must come from the federal government. With industry and the Federal Communications Commission already working to tap alternative sources of this finite resource, the federal government and the Defense Department in particular face growing pressure to share the wealth.

Much of the talk now is focused on how the government could be induced to move faster, and most of the ideas revolve around compensating agencies for relinquishing the spectrum. At the FCC, Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel advocates giving agencies part of the proceeds that come from auctioning spectrum to the private sector. Similarly, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology suggested developing some kind of spectrum currency. And some lawmakers, including House Communications and Technology Subcommittee leaders Reps. Greg Walden (R-OR) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA), have talked about creating a fee structure that would penalize inefficient spectrum use. In the current budget-constrained environment, the financial rewards could be appealing to agencies. But so far, nothing material has developed.