Wireless/Radio Spectrum Management Resources

This 2006 paper Regulating Spectrum Management: Overview and Trends is intended to provide readers with a broad overview of wireless communications spectrum management concepts and issues, including a review of differences between traditional spectrum management methods and policy and recent innovations and practices due to technology advances. The approach taken is more descriptive than prescriptive, allowing readers to make up their own mind on various perspectives. The authors have found that there are no standard solutions that fit every situation. (The "open", "commons", or "property rights" spectrum proponents may also wish to review this information.)

Further factual reading material for those wanting to learn more can be found by following these links:

Spectrum Management Overview

An introduction to spectrum management including best practices and considerations involved in the use and regulation of radio frequency spectrum.

Spectrum Policy and Planning

An outline of policy and planning considerations including technical standards and the allocation of spectrum.

Authorization

An overview of the processes by which users gain access to the spectrum resource.

Spectrum Pricing

A review of the role of spectrum pricing and economics as it relates to the method of spectrum authorization being employed.

Spectrum Monitoring and Compliance

An overview of how spectrum monitoring and compliance can help users by avoiding incompatible frequency usage through identification of sources of harmful interference.

International Affairs

An overview of international harmonization of spectrum utilization.

Developing Spectrum Management Capacity

An overview of the strategies for organization, function, process development, staffing, staff retention and training for spectrum regulators.

NR

Spectrum Matters Discussion Group established

For those reading this blog (or am I still on my own?) who may wish to engage in further discussions or, share their ideas or concerns about wireless spectrum matters in a forum or group setting, here's good news. Please visit the new Spectrum Matters discussion group on Yahoo! established just for that purpose. (Free registration required)

This moderated, spam-free group focuses on news, information, opinion, responsible debate, and commentary on all matters related to the potential social, economic, and technical benefits (or consequences) to be realized by updating legacy and/or implementing new wireless spectrum management policy in the United States.

Topics and discussions are targeted towards business, educational, industrial, enterprise, public safety, local, state, regional, federal government and similar types of PROFESSIONAL wireless users who depend on spectrum in their daily activities and who want to learn more about how and why wireless spectrum matters can, will, or already have had an impact on them.

If you have an interest in wireless communications in general and spectrum issues in particular, please join us. Membership requires a response to a New Member Confirmation Request emailed to you during the sign-up process.

NR

Kill the FCC? Sell Off the Spectrum?

I ran across this intriguing - if not radical - commentary on the Slate web site recently. At first glance, the idea that the FCC be eliminated (I must admit that this same thought has also propagated through my mind once or twice in my career, but I've managed - for various reasons - to control myself so far!) and all the wireless spectrum sold off (which, in my opinion, would CERTAINLY NOT be as wise a move as some believe) might appear to be a reasonable solution to resolving some pressing spectrum allocation issues that are - and have been for quite sometime - currently simmering on someone's back burner deep within the Portals.

Take a quick peek at the article - there are some valid points made - but, also ask yourself whether or not we - and the wireless spectrum we all so passionately desire access to - would really be any better off by subscribing to this method of spectrum management? While the author accurately notes that "the old ideas about spectrum capacity (and regulation) are out, and new ones about spectrum efficiency are in", I'd suggest that a more balanced approach would be a better path to follow.

NR

Apply "Litmus Test" to New Wireless Technology

Having spent the last 30+ years in the private land mobile two-way radio and mobile communications business - where "wireless" first began, by the way - I've often been both intrigued and thoroughly disgusted (sometimes simultaneously) with some of the marketing "hype" and often false (ok - is "misunderstood" a better word?) promises offered to wireless spectrum users by many players in today's "new" wireless industry. This has been particularly true when it comes to some of the technology "stuff" that professional and Public Safety wireless users have had to sort out. Without boring you with all that bothers me (and the reasons why), may I instead encourage you to take a moment to read this before making any rash moves regarding the alleged capabilities and purported suitability of some of the new "whiz-bang" wireless products and services you've been hearing about lately?

Thanks! Perhaps we'll both feel better if you do; I know I will.

NR