The FCC New Spectrum Policy

 
The FCC New Spectrum Policy
The American spectrum management regime is approximately 90 years old. In the opinion of FCC
Chairman Michael Powell, it needs to be reexamined and taken in a new direction. Historically, four core
assumptions have formed spectrum policy: (1) unregulated radio interference will lead to chaos; (2)
spectrum is scarce; (3) government command and control of the scarce spectrum resource is the only
way chaos can be avoided; and (4) the public interest centers on the government choosing the highest
and best use of the spectrum. The following sections examine the four problem areas in spectrum
management and provide their solutions.