A memo issued by Republican members of the House Communications Subcommittee expressed the view that spectrum left unsold for the purpose of providing a spot for unlicensed devices is spectrum wasted. A Democrat and Republican have teamed up to counter that position.
Anna Eshoo (D-CA), the Ranking Member of Communications, was joined by Darrell Issa (R-CA). In a letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, they urged him to remember that the FCC “…has a responsibility to adhere to the statute – recognizing the enormous economic value of both licensed and unlicensed spectrum in the television band.” They said the FCC’s proposed rulemaking of 9/28/12 got it right in its provision of guard bands that would both protect against interference and house the unlicensed devices they wish to propagate.
They noted numerous successful uses of white space devices, particularly in areas afflicted by Hurricane Sandy, and urged that the FCC follow in the footsteps of the UK’s Ofcom in issuing regulations that keep the innovation made possible by unlicensed spectrum alive and well.
