FCC allows licensees to resell our spectrum

The FCC has voted to allow the trading of spectrum licenses. While this will certainly improve the efficiency of spectrum use, it seems to have some real problems.

  • It ties up unused spectrum that could be used for commons-oriented applications.
  • It muddies the idea that a license is not owned, but only borrowed from the public for a limited period.
  • It creates more entrenched interests with a financial stake in preventing creative use of spectrum.

Aside from one good piece by David Reed, I don’t understand why we haven’t heard more about this plan from the spectrum geeks.

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