The Need for Additional Spectrum for Wireless Broadband: The Economic Benefits and Costs of Reallocations

Broadband is rapidly becoming the lifeblood of modern advanced economies. Just as the telegraph, telephone, electricity, rail and road networks, and more recently, the computer defined social and economic progress, broadband connectivity and capacity today represents this progress. The United States has been a world leader in information technology development and deployment, including the Internet. To maintain that leadership position the U.S. must compete effectively with other countries to attract businesses that rely on broadband infrastructure. Robust broadband infrastructure, including significant amounts of wireless based broadband access, provides the foundation for such effective competition.