IIA Calls Freeing up Underperforming Spectrum the Great Infrastructure Challenge of Our Day

Getting framework for spectrum incentive auctions right will unlock economic growth and hugely benefit consumers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 28, 2012 – In response to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopting a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on spectrum incentive auctions, Bruce Mehlman, co-chairman of the Internet Innovation Alliance (IIA), a broad-based coalition supporting broadband access and adoption for all Americans, released the following statement: “This is a terrific start.  With the right policy framework in place, this proceeding will meaningfully add to the spectrum available for commercial broadband applications, a true boon to our economy.

“Unlocking our underperforming spectrum is the great infrastructure challenge of our day.  Those nations who succeed will give their innovators and entrepreneurs a tremendous leg-up on the global stage.  The new services and applications enabled by increasing bandwidth will benefit consumers tremendously. “Yet no one can rest on their laurels.  This is only a beginning.  Demand for bandwidth and creation of content continue to exceed supply, and the Administration and Congress should redouble their efforts to make additional bands of spectrum available to broadband providers.” To learn more about the, IIA visit http://www.internetinnovation.org.