As for spectrum allocation?... Let's get crazy

摘要

Last week I noted that the FCC is con-sidering allocating unused television spectrum to broadband wireless services. Time for some out-of-the-box ideas: What if the FCC decided to re-allocate all the available spectrum - including commercial television and radio - to broadband services (with the exception of police, fire and emergency channels)? Crazy? Maybe. But maybe not. Here's why it would make sense: 1.) It would promote broadband local access alternatives. As I said last week, additional broadband wireless spectrum could dislodge the RBOCs' death grip on local access. By dedicating some spectrum to companies that intend to use it for wireless voice and data services, the FCC could accelerate their development. And to protect against the RBOCs buying up and moth-balling spectrum, the FCC could require companies bidding for spectrum not to offer alternate facilities-based local access.