Wireless Future Project

Archives: Wireless Future Project Policy Papers

Wholesale Open Access and Anonymous Bidding

June 18, 2007

In the coming weeks, the FCC will set the bidding and service rules for the auction of the 700MHz spectrum freed up by the DTV transition—“beachfront” airwaves ideal for the provision of high-speed wireless broadband services. This last big sale of prime spectrum is expected to raise $10 to $20 billion in federal revenue.

Programs:

Spectrum Auction Breakdown

  • By Gregory Rose, Consulting Economist
June 1, 2007

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) spectrum auctions can seem arcane and technical, but in fact, auctions for exclusive licenses to use the public airwaves determine the future of American telecommunications. FCC auctions shape the competitive structure of markets and, ultimately, who controls entire industries—from broadcasting, to telephony, to wireless broadband services—that are increasingly central to U.S. productivity growth, consumer welfare, and global competitiveness.

Programs:

Wireless Net Neutrality: Cellular Carterfone and Consumer Choice in Mobile Broadband

  • By Tim Wu, Professor, Columbia University School of Law
February 15, 2007

Issue Update (2-21-2007): VoIP provider Skype has filed a petition with the FCC to ensure that Carterfone rules apply to commercial wireless networks, citing Tim Wu's paper on Wireless Net Neutrality.  

Below is an Executive Summary.  The full paper is linked below, in PDF format.  

 

Programs:

Quantifying the Impact of Unlicensed Devices on Digital TV Receivers

  • By Paul Kolodzy, Kolodzy Consulting; Michael Marcus, Marcus Spectrum Solutions; Daniel DePardo, Joseph B. Evans, James A. Roberts, Victor R. Petty, Alexander M. Wyglinski, Information & Telecommunication Technology Center, University of Kansas
January 31, 2007

ABSTRACT

Programs:

Can Cognitive Radio Operating in the TV White Spaces Completely Protect Licensed TV Broadcasting?

  • By Mark A. Sturza, President, 3C Systems Company; Farzad Ghazvinian, Consultant
January 30, 2007

This study and report were produced with funding from Microsoft Corporation.

Policy Background

Programs:

From TV to Public Safety

  • By Jon M. Peha, Carnegie Mellon University
October 26, 2006

Abstract

Programs:

Spectrum Policy Wonderland

  • By
  • J.H. Snider,
  • New America Foundation
September 30, 2006

Prepared for delivery at the
Telecommunications Policy Research Conference
George Mason University School of Law, Arlington, VA
September 30, 2006.  

 

Abstract

Programs:

Building Constituencies for Spectrum Policy Change - First Report

September 23, 2006

In early 2006, the Wireless Future Program at the New America Foundation, an independent think tank, launched a new initiative to advance its work on public interest spectrum policy by strengthening connections with -- and service to -- diverse public constituencies. NAF enlisted CIMA: Center for International Media Action to convene a group to advise its Wireless Future Program from the perspective of communities that have a vested stake in the debate, but whose interests are not well represented by current policy and industry agendas.

Programs:

How Mass Media Use Crisis Communications for Political Gain

  • By
  • J.H. Snider,
  • New America Foundation
August 30, 2006

This paper was submitted to the American Political Science Association 2006  Annual Meeting.

It’s a common observation that crises such as wars, recessions, stock market meltdowns, ethics scandals, and natural catastrophes often drive the public policymaking process. A crisis reveals a problem and then a public consensus emerges that policymakers must do something about it. The policy debate then centers on the best means to solve the problem.

Programs:

Populating the Vacant Channels

  • By Pierre de Vries, Senior Fellow, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Southern California
August 8, 2006

There are vacant channels between broadcast television stations in every media market. This spectrum can be used by unlicensed devices without interfering with television viewing.

An unlicensed allocation of these bands would be the most productive way to use this spectrum. Unlicensed spectrum is a proven way to generate technical and commercial innovation; promotes healthy diversity in markets and regulatory models; and complements the licensed allocation in the nearby 700 MHz band.

Programs:
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