FCC Plans Auction Off TV Spectrum for Mobile
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski on Wednesday outlined an ambitious plan for U.S. mobile broadband; an effort that includes allocating broadcast spectrum for mobile use and other badassness.
“Our plan is ambitious but straightforward: accelerate the broad deployment of mobile broadband by moving to recover and reallocate spectrum; update our 20th century spectrum policies to reflect 21st century technologies and opportunities; remove barriers to broadband build out, lower the cost of deployment, and promote competition,” Genachowski said.
The number of consumers with smartphones that can access the Internet has been growing steadily over the past few years. But there is only so much spectrum to go around, which is a problem when trying to provide all Americans with access to broadband services.
“Counting 2008′s 700 MHz auction, the FCC in recent years has authorized a 3-fold increase in commercial spectrum for mobile broadband. But that increase will not allow us to keep pace with an estimated 30-fold increase in traffic,” Genachowski said.
Filed Under: communication • Innovation • Mobile • Television
