The Uncertainty of Unlicensed: New Threat Posed by House Draft Legislation

Yesterday, Steve Coran presented a webinar to members of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) on spectrum reform legislation that is being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives.  The presentation focused on provisions addressing the future of unlicensed spectrum allocation, with discussion on a novel and untested auction concept that would require bidders wanting non-exclusive rules to bid against licensees wanting licensed rules for the same spectrum.  Steve commented that this is "untried and untested, and unlikely to raise significant revenues in light of the uncertainty the rules would raise."  Steve urged the WISPA members to participate in the advocacy effort by communicating with their representatives.