Spectrum Book 2013 (eBook)

This Handbook has three objectives: 1) to serve as a primer for explaining thecomplex issues around the use of electromagnetic spectrum; 2) to analyze, fromboth an economic and a legal perspective, the regulatory processes beingconsidered or underway to reallocate or change the use of spectrum bands; and 3)to be a reference source for industry professionals. Part I of the Handbook providesan overview of the spectrum and the regulatory process. Part II of the Handbookexplains the various available spectrum bands, discussing their range, location, andphysical properties and how these impact their ability to be used. An analysis of thecurrent allocation of these spectrum bands in the United States follows. Part IIIcontains detailed explanations of the various spectrum band plans. Throughout theHandbook, we provide links in the footnotes to sources for additional information. From a macro-perspective, regulators worldwide are currently reallocating spectrumfrom underutilized applications to the burgeoning mobile wireless broadbandapplications. Given the needs and importance of wireless broadband, from aneconomic and social perspective, this trend is likely unstoppable. The FCC isallocating both licensed spectrum (including the broadcast incentive auction) andunlicensed spectrum (including the 3.5 GHz and 5 GHz processes). Unlicensed(shared) spectrum is one approach to minimize disruption from these reallocationefforts and expand utilization is the small but significant spectrum sharingmovement. Spectrum sharing is simultaneously proposing to improve spectralefficiency and calling into question the need for licenses altogether. As a result of the existing processes underway to improve the efficiency ofspectrum allocation along with new technologies that further improve efficiency, theextent of "e;spectrum crunch"e; (i.e. the apparent lack of available spectrum) is poorlyunderstood and hotly debated. Summit Ridge Group does not believe it is likely tobring information access to a grinding halt in the United States. Rather, we may seetemporary congestion while regulators approve new reallocations of spectrum andspectrum-sharing plans, and service providers build out services on new spectrum. These processes, combined with wireless carriers' improved ability to regulatecustomer data usage-primarily by charging higher fees and/or capping usage, andoffloading traffic via Wi-Fi and other technologies-should allow operators tocontinue to provide reliable service in the face of increasing demand. These trendsare also likely to temper the increase in spectrum prices in the future.