Getting Up To Speed about Spectrum and Auctions

For those wondering how we are going to solve the spectrum crisis, I thought I would share what I consider to be a key resource: J. Armand Musey’s “The Spectrum Handbook 2013.” Musey’s book serves as a good primer and it provides a great means for developing an understanding of the opportunities and implications of spectrum policy. For most of us the goal is to keep a focus on current issues and not to delve into a diatribe on Shannon’s Law or a discussion about IEEE standards and the ITU, and the brevity Armand brings to his subject is quite welcome. As Armand puts it in the book’s Executive Summary (page 3):

“…basically it's a primer for people new to the industry and a reference tool for more seasoned practitioners. It covers the basic technical issues related to spectrum, the applications for each band and business dynamics within each application, the current regulatory dynamics as well as valuation issues. While mobile is discussed in depth, the handbook covers the range of spectrum issues from Low Frequency to Extremely High Frequency. Detailed analysis of spectrum sharing, government spectrum use and the various spectrum reallocation process under way in the US and internationally.”

So with that resource tip under your belt, it is now time to more specifically address the issue of White Space. The White Space Alliance has teamed up with the Brattle Group’s Dr. Coleman D. Bazelon and Dr. Giulia McHenry to discuss the implications of the auctions and possible alternatives for TV White Space.  This important event will take place online on December 4, 2013.

The FCC’s Broadcast Incentive Auction NPRM set out an array of alternatives for meeting its ambitious goal of clearing up to 120 MHz of spectrum, while setting aside some $9 billion for Public Safety. It has been a year since this effort kicked off, however, and many questions remain unanswered. The TV White Space session will address those unanswered questions as they directly pertain to the white space community, including:

• How much white space will remain after the auction?
• Which markets are likely to see the greatest change in white space availability?
• What are the most likely band plans, and how much nationwide unlicensed spectrum exists in each?
• What factors are likely to affect the amount of unlicensed spectrum available?

By design, the White Space Alliance/Brattle Group session will consider the implications of packing and repacking the channels to maximize the value of the spectrum for auction. If you wish to register for the event you can do so via email at [email protected].

Taking up J. Armand Musey’s book and attending the White Space Alliance/Brattle Group event will not only give you a good head start, but you very well may discover the right partners when you attend the Super Wi-Fi Summit in January.