NTIA Finds 95 MHz of Spectrum for wireless proposes shaing!

The headline above appeared this week in Fierce Wireless.  On the surface this is great news for wireless users, particularly for carriers who need more spectrum to expand networks, and especially for LightSquared.  You all remember LightSquared, backed by Obama support Phillip Falcone and who is threading to sue the pants off the taxpayers to recover Mr. Falcone's $3 billion investment.  Do not be surprised to hear in coming months, that LightSquared has been . . . "awarded access to 30 MHz nationwide, of the 95 MHz freed up at taxpayer expense, by NTIA"!  Of course that will make Mr. Falcone's invest worth $30 billion again and position him to funnel even more campaign contributions to the re-election campaigns of politicians who, "understand the value of bringing broadband service to more American's thus taking a step closer to closing the ever growing "broadband divide".

Of course, as I sometimes do, I digress.  It really is good news for all users that NTIA is at least "mining" some spectrum.  But I caution all non-carrier, non-public safety users, DO NOT GET EXCITED about this press release by NTIA because as NTIA points out, "One of the issues the NTIA identified in moving federal users out of the spectrum is that, given the growing demand for spectrum by both industry and the federal agencies, it is increasingly tough to find spectrum to move from and into.

Additionally, the NTIA said its analysis of the cost of a complete relocation of the 95 MHz raises questions as to whether the proceeds from auctioning the spectrum will exceed federal relocation costs, as required by law. The NTIA also said that some of the federal systems in this band may require more than a decade to relocate, which could further complicate deployment of commercial wireless broadband."

So our council is to go forward keeping an eye on the spectrum, which L&W will do for our clients, and be ready to move quickly if and when there is something more than press release about spectrum put forth by NTIA.

Marc