Achieving Dynamic Spectrum Allocation

Cooper, M. (2006). Achieving Dynamic Spectrum Allocation: Governance Rules for a Mixed Private-Commons Regime. The 34th Research Conference on Communication, Information and Internet Policy, Telecommunications Policy Research Conference (TPRC), Arlington, VA. http://web.si.umich.edu/tprc/papers/2006/508/dynamic%20access.pdf “There is no doubt that dynamic access to the spectrum – which means many more users and uses can be supported – is technologically feasible. The public policy question is what is the best approach to get it done.” The dramatic changes in technology that have taken place in the past several decades open the possibility for a transformation in spectrum policy. Such a transformation has the potential to either further fuel, or to dampen, municipal and community wireless projects. This paper is based on the proceedings of the 2005 conference called the 1st IEEE International Symposium on New Frontiers in Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks. The paper is not always clearly written, but it contains valuable information. It proposes a framework for improving use of the spectrum in the US, and can help readers to understand the complex technical, historical, and political issues that surround spectrum management. The author shows how a solution could be reached for spectrum management by implementing a spectrum commons, and argues that an unlicensed approach to spectrum management will provide greater economic and political benefits.