September 13, 2012
Getting more frequencies out of inefficient users’ hands is best strategy to unleash economic growth
WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 13, 2012 – Following the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing “Creating Opportunities through Improved Government Spectrum Efficiency,” Bruce Mehlman, former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Technology Policy and founding co-chairman of the Internet Innovation Alliance (IIA), a broad-based coalition supporting broadband access and adoption for all Americans, released the following statement:
“The U.S. government is the single largest user of spectrum, and without its willingness to relinquish control over spectrum bands that are not being put to their highest and best use, our country will suffer from significant losses in economic gains and jobs.
“Beyond the hearing’s focus on improving government spectrum efficiency, clearing spectrum for market use is the best strategy for creating new opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation. Commercial spectrum users need certainty in order to invest and reliably serve their customers.
“Innovation to improve the efficiency of the government’s use of spectrum and moving inefficient users off of spectrum bands, as pointed out by Representative Greg Walden, will mean that more American consumers can take advantage of mobile broadband to enhance their quality of life and more businesses can create new technologies that depend on next-generation wireless networks.”
To learn more about the, IIA visit https://internetinnovation.org/.
The Internet Innovation Alliance was founded in 2004 and is a broad-based coalition supporting broadband availability and access for all Americans, including underserved and rural communities. It aims to ensure every American, regardless of race, income or geography, has access to this critical tool. The IIA seeks to promote public policies that leverage the power of entrepreneurs and the market to achieve universal broadband availability and adoption.