The Importance of Permissionless Innovation in Unlicensed Spectrum Bands

This report examines the evolution of unlicensed spectrum and the various policies that helped pave the way for the success of the US wireless industry.

The data illustrates that the key to this success story is the Federal Communications Commission consistently avoiding any requirement that devices operating in unlicensed spectrum adhere to specifications developed by any particular standards setting organization, employ any particular co-existence protocol, or pass any sort of litmus test for compatibility with other unlicensed technologies. The paper also sheds light on the remarkable technological diversity of unlicensed devices that have met unique needs throughout the digital revolution. The report affirms that a policy of permissionless innovation is working, as evidenced by the last seventy-five years of groundbreaking technological advancement.