Public Knowledge Proposes Spectrum Policy Changes

The Federal government should alter its spectrum-allocation policies and procedures so that both the government and the private sector can operate more efficiently, two papers presented today at a Public Knowledge-sponsored conference suggested. The papers, by PK Legal Director Harold Feld and economist Gregory Rose, were presented at the conference, Toward a Sustainable Spectrum Policy: Rethinking Federal Spectrum.

One paper, Breaking the Logjam: Creating Sustainable Spectrum Access Through Federal Secondary Markets, suggested the government consider real-time leasing rather than simply clearing bands entirely for auction.

The second paper, Breaking the Logjam: Some Modest Proposals For Enhancing Transparency, Efficiency and Innovation In Public Spectrum Management, proposed ways to allocate spectrum within the current statutory structure, treating it more like budgeting and purchasing.