Study Discredits Claim of Spectrum Crisis for Mobile Broadband

The National Association of Broadcasters filed with the Federal Communications Commission a study by former FCC official Uzoma Onyeije questioning the existence of a spectrum crisis. The paper suggests alternative solutions to auctioning broadcasting spectrum to help alleviate mobile broadband congestion. In the paper, Onyeije shows that insufficient analysis and reliance on faulty information in the formation of the FCC's National Broadband Plan has led to the overstated assumption of a nationwide spectrum "crisis." The paper cautions that using flawed data to address the capacity crunch affecting only a handful of cities will lead to inadequate solutions. Onyeije calls for a comprehensive and quantitative analysis of the issue that is not based on preconceived assumptions.

"The factual basis for the 'spectrum crisis' claim is underwhelming," Onyeije said. "For example, the answer to the fundamental question of how much spectrum mobile carriers need remains uncertain. It appears that the notion of a need for large-scale spectrum reallocation to address a shortage of mobile spectrum is based on questionable assumptions designed to achieve a particular result."

The National Broadband Plan's conclusion of a spectrum shortage is based on little more than a wish list by wireless carriers, says the paper. Onyeije cites contradictory statements by high-ranking corporate officials to show the Plan's calls for making 500 MHz of spectrum available for broadband in ten years is a gross overestimate of the actual need.

Onyeije offers his support for innovative solutions that have been previously deployed and currently being developed to address capacity needs, and which can be

• utilized much faster and more efficiently than a reallocation of broadcast spectrum:
• deploying innovative network technology upgrades that promote spectral efficiency;
• leveraging consumer infrastructure such as femtocells and wi-fi;
• investing in infrastructure to enhance capacity through the deployment of smart antennas, picocells, sectorization and cell splitting;
• encouraging the development of bandwidth sensitive applications