Unleashing America's Invisible Infrastructure

Speaking at the Federal Communications Commission's Spectrum Summit, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said:

One of the most important components of the National Broadband Plan is that it recognizes how central wireless broadband is to our future. Mobile has tremendous potential to grow our global economy, opening new markets for U.S. businesses. More than 90 percent of the world's population has access to mobile networks. Our invisible infrastructure also supports breakthrough tools to improve education and health care such as ever-updating e-readers that can replace outdated textbooks, and remote monitoring devices that help diabetes patients track their glucose levels. But we are at an inflection point. The explosive growth in mobile communications is outpacing our ability to keep up.

If we don't act to update our spectrum policies for the 21st century, we're going to run into a wall - a spectrum crunch - that will stifle American innovation and economic growth and cost us the opportunity to lead the world in mobile communications. Spectrum is finite. Demand will soon outpace the supply available for mobile broadband. This is not the first time I've said this. And it won't be the last. The coming spectrum crunch is a vital strategic and economic issue for our country, and a vital consumer issue since increased congestion will lead to growing consumer frustration with their mobile devices. It's clear: We are standing at a crossroads. We are looking at two potential futures. If we act thoughtfully and execute on a strategic vision to ensure the highest and best use of this precious national resource, we can drive billions of dollars in private investment, fueling world-leading innovations, creating millions of new jobs, and enabling endless new products and services that can help improve the lives of all Americans. If we don't, we will put our country's economic competitiveness at risk, and squander the chance we now have to lead the world in mobile.

The choice is clear: We have to pick the path that promises jobs and economic growth, innovation and opportunity. We must close the spectrum gap.