The Need for Additional Spectrum for Wireless Broadband: The Economic Benefits and Costs of Reallocations
Published by The Brattle Group, Inc.
Broadband is rapidly becoming the lifeblood of modern advanced economies. Just as the telegraph, telephone, electricity, rail and road networks, and more recently, the computer defined social and economic progress, broadband connectivity and capacity today represents this progress. The United States has been a world leader in information technology development and deployment, including the Internet. To maintain that leadership position the U.S. must compete effectively with other countries to attract businesses that rely on broadband infrastructure. Robust broadband infrastructure, including significant amounts of wireless based broadband access, provides the foundation for such effective competition.
Access to radio spectrum is key to robust broadband deployments. Wireless access adds at least three dimensions to our broadband infrastructure. First, and most obviously, it allows for mobility. The value of mobile broadband is exemplified by Apple’s iPhone and other smart phone devices. Second, wireless deployments are a cost effective way to deploy broadband infrastructure to rural and other underserved areas. Finally, wireless deployments in all areas allows for competition to the traditional wired broadband networks. These added benefits make sufficient radio spectrum for wireless broadband deployments an integral part of any national broadband strategy.
