Co-Sponsored by New America's Wireless Future Project & Media Policy Initiative

Last year’s National Broadband Plan promised to unlock 500 MHz more spectrum to meet the exploding consumer demand for mobile data applications. Aside from the TV band, the largest source of new spectrum is held by Mobile Satellite (MSS) companies seeking the flexibility to compete with the large mobile carriers. Last year a new company called LightSquared received conditional FCC authority to use previously restricted MSS spectrum to build out an open wholesale-only wireless network covering at least 260 million Americans by 2015.

President Obama has outlined a Wireless Innovation and Infrastructure Initiative that promises high-speed “4G” mobile broadband for 98% of Americans while raising over $27 billion from spectrum auctions to pay for a nationwide, inter-operable public safety network and other innovations.

This forum featured a briefing by officials at the White House, NTIA and FCC who are leading this initiative. They outlined the Administration’s 10-year plan to free up 500 MHz more spectrum for exclusive licensing and for shared and unlicensed use.