CTIA asks for 800 megahertz of additional spectrum

In responses to a Federal Communications Commission Notice of Inquiry posted in late August seeking comment on the competitiveness of the wireless industry and wireless innovation and investment, industry trade association CTIA laid out arguments that while the domestic wireless market is one of the most competitive in the world, 800 megahertz of new spectrum needs to be allocated to the market within the next six years to continue to support innovation and investment in the space.
“CTIA has asked the FCC and NTIA to identify a significant amount of new spectrum – with a target of at least 800 MHz – for reallocation to licensed commercial use,” CTIA noted in its 133-page filing. “In addition, to find the large quantity of additional spectrum that is needed, a comprehensive spectrum inventory should be undertaken that will identify underutilized bands.”
CTIA noted that the approximately 400 megahertz of spectrum currently allocated to commercial wireless services was on par with the amount set aside for service in Germany and the United Kingdom, markets that serve around one-fourth the current U.S. wireless customer base of around 270 million users. The German and U.K. governments have also started the process of allocating additional spectrum for their markets with plans for Germany to have around 645 megahertz and the U.K. more than 700 megahertz of spectrum available for commercial services in the future.
CTIA said it supports the Radio Spectrum Inventory Act and has asked the FCC and NTIA to look at reviewing current spectrum usage between the 300 MHz and 3.5 GHz band for possible reallocation to commercial wireless use.