Consultants’ Study on Mobile Broadband Cited in “The Wall Street Journal”
November 22, 2011
A research paper coauthored by Managing Principal Marc Van Audenrode and Vice President David W. Sosa, examining the role that mobile broadband can play in boosting the U.S. economy, was cited in The Wall Street Journal debate “Should Some of Broadcasters' Spectrum Be Auctioned Off to Wireless Carriers?” (Nov. 15, 2011) Consumers and business users are becoming increasingly dependent on wireless services, and are relying on a limited amount of available spectrum in the United States. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is calling for auctions at which television broadcasters would sell spectrum to wireless carriers. In this Journal debate, two authors explore the pros and cons of the FCC’s proposal. “The additional spectrum space for the wireless industry envisioned in the FCC plan … would create up to 500,000 U.S. jobs and add some $400 billion to the nation's GDP,” says Jonathan Spalter, chairman of Mobile Future, citing the Analysis Group study. (Mobile Future, a national wireless industry association, was a sponsor of the Analysis Group research.) In response, Barbara Cochran, a former broadcasting executive, claims that shifting some spectrum from local television broadcasters to wireless broadband services may adversely affect competition and innovation in broadcasting.
Our report was referenced in the February 2012 report "The Economic Benefits of New Spectrum for Wireless Broadband," issued by the Executive Office of the President, Council of Economic Advisers and by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce February 16, 2012 fact sheet "Summary of Spectrum Provisions in Conference Agreement for HR 3630 – Promoting Job Creation, Innovation, and Public Safety."