The Spectrum Book 2013 (eBook)

This Handbook has three objectives: 1) to serve as a primer for explaining the
complex issues around the use of electromagnetic spectrum; 2) to analyze, from
both an economic and a legal perspective, the regulatory processes being
considered 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 provides
an overview of the spectrum and the regulatory process. Part II of the Handbook
explains the various available spectrum bands, discussing their range, location, and
physical properties and how these impact their ability to be used. An analysis of the
current allocation of these spectrum bands in the United States follows. Part III
contains detailed explanations of the various spectrum band plans. Throughout the
Handbook, we provide links in the footnotes to sources for additional information.
From a macro-perspective, regulators worldwide are currently reallocating spectrum
from underutilized applications to the burgeoning mobile wireless broadband
applications. Given the needs and importance of wireless broadband, from an
economic and social perspective, this trend is likely unstoppable. The FCC is
allocating both licensed spectrum (including the broadcast incentive auction) and
unlicensed spectrum (including the 3.5 GHz and 5 GHz processes). Unlicensed
(shared) spectrum is one approach to minimize disruption from these reallocation
efforts and expand utilization is the small but significant spectrum sharing
movement. Spectrum sharing is simultaneously proposing to improve spectral
efficiency and calling into question the need for licenses altogether.
As a result of the existing processes underway to improve the efficiency of
spectrum allocation along with new technologies that further improve efficiency, the
extent of "spectrum crunch" (i.e. the apparent lack of available spectrum) is poorly
understood and hotly debated. Summit Ridge Group does not believe it is likely to
bring information access to a grinding halt in the United States. Rather, we may see
temporary congestion while regulators approve new reallocations of spectrum and
spectrum-sharing plans, and service providers build out services on new spectrum.
These processes, combined with wireless carriers' improved ability to regulate
customer data usage-primarily by charging higher fees and/or capping usage, and
offloading traffic via Wi-Fi and other technologies-should allow operators to
continue to provide reliable service in the face of increasing demand. These trends
are also likely to temper the increase in spectrum prices in the future.