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.