TIA tells FCC of wireless broadband benefits, recommends wider bandwidth allocations

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) filed comments on Dec. 21, 2009, with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide insight into factors the Commission should consider when evaluating benefits of spectrum being used for over-the-air television broadcasting or for wireless broadband. (See TIA graphic below about broadband management.) Spectrum allocation is important because effective use of mobile devices can drive economic development and manufacturing productivity , according to earlier story from Manufacturing Business Technology .

"The expansion of next-generation wireless broadband is vital to our nation’s economic, healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, defense, and environmental priorities," said TIA Vice President for Government Affairs Danielle Coffey. "For this reason, the Commission’s examination of existing spectrum usage is crucial, given the recognized wireless broadband spectrum shortfall our nation faces as demand for terrestrial wireless broadband continues to dramatically increase."

"TIA echoes Chairman Genachowski’s statement that, in order for America to lead the world in innovation, the Commission must have the strength to make difficult choices that serve the public interest through increased wireless broadband service, device, and application availability," said Coffey.

"With effective spectrum management policies that make sufficient spectrum available for wireless broadband, the skyrocketing demand for wireless broadband data services, applications, and devices will provide a boon to our nation’s economy," said Coffey. "Similarly, wireless network infrastructure investment could rebound with the availability of new services and greater opportunities for cutting-edge network deployment. Thus, the time is right for a thorough examination of how best to provide scarce spectrum resources for wireless broadband services."

TIA says:
– The FCC should consider wider bandwidth allocations – in at least 20 to 30 MHz blocks – needed for future data-intensive wireless broadband services.
– This kind of allocation will offer performance advantages that will allow resources to be pooled among users.
– This, in turn, will enable service providers to support more bandwidth-intensive services for more users, driving demand and revenue.
– Without these larger allocations in the coming years, provision of the data services consumers demand cannot be realized. As a result, consumers will not have access to the broadband services and applications that will drive smartphone and other broadband equipment sales.
– Failure to provide wider bandwidth spectrum allocations for wireless broadband services will have a "domino effect" that will severely chill revenues forecast to drive the wireless industry’s revenue growth.
– The FCC should create a new, innovative, and technology-neutral spectrum band plan, and TIA commends the FCC’s focus on evaluating the relative public benefits of spectrum allocations for over-the-air broadcast television versus those of wireless broadband.

"The Commission must examine the current uses of spectrum and inventory each in order to assess the potential for spectrum repurposing," said Coffey. "Concurrently, it must examine technologies and methodologies that can maximize existing spectrum used for other purposes that serve the public interest and simultaneously increase spectrum availability for commercial services. By swiftly and decisively identifying opportunities to bring next-generation wireless broadband to all Americans through increased wireless broadband spectrum allocation, the Commission will enhance our economy, meet our nation’s societal goals, and continue to advance the public interest," she concluded.

The full text of TIA’s comments is available on its FCC filings page at tiaonline.org.

TIA says its board of directors includes senior-level executives from ACS, ADC, ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA Networks, AttivaCorp, Avaya, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Graybar, Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, Intersect, Inc., LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, Openwave, Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Powerwave Technologies, Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., and Verari Systems. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and Telcordia Technologies.

Also read from MBT, Motorola enterprise mobility: Wireless LAN, industrial sensing growth expected .

– Edited by Mark T. Hoske, online products editor, Manufacturing Business Technology , MBT, www.mbtmag.com

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