FCC Chairman Calls Adding Wireless Spectrum a Top Priority

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 9, 2009 - 9:13am.

San Diego - Calling a looming shortage of wireless airwaves "the biggest threat to the future of mobile in America," FCC chairman Julius Genachowski said this week that his agency must find innovative ways to add more spectrum.

Speaking at a conference in San Diego, Genachowski said that the only way to deal with an anticipated 30-fold increase in wireless traffic is through measures such as the more efficient use of current spectrum, the reallocation of airwaves currently being used for other purposes and more rapid development of technology such as smart antennas.

"What happens when every mobile user has an iPhone, a Palm Pre, a Blackberry Tour or whatever the next device is?" said Genachowsi.

"What happens when we quadruple the number of subscribers with mobile broadband on their laptops or netbooks? The short answer: we will need a lot more spectrum."

The complete transcript of Genachowski's remarks is available at the link below.