New Report Outlines Spectrum Challenges for Consumers, Mobile Innovation and America's Small Businesses

FCC Chairman Discusses Steps to Meet Growing Mobile Demand in Keynote Address

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At today's Mobile Future Forum, wireless technology expert Peter Rysavy presented findings from a new report analyzing the consequences of failing to make new spectrum available in the marketplace. The report discusses how spectrum relates to network capacity, how applications and devices create heavy data traffic, and the resulting spectrum shortage once available capacity has been consumed. Rysavy concludes that a widespread spectrum shortage would cause unpredictable network service and unreliable performance for consumers at potentially higher connectivity costs. This could be particularly detrimental to minorities and low-income Americans who primarily rely on their mobile phones to access the Internet.

The market consequences of insufficient spectrum include fewer incentives for businesses to invest due to poor performance and a drop in customer satisfaction. The impact would jeopardize 2.4 million American jobs supported by the mobile sector and threatens America's ability to innovate and compete in the global economy.

"If the spectrum deficit is not immediately addressed, demand is predicted to exceed existing network capacity in three to four years, hitting urban areas with the busiest networks and where the highest density of users are concentrated," said Peter Rysavy. "If just 50% of the new spectrum promised in the National Broadband Plan is made commercially available, demand will still exceed capacity by 2017."

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski joined the discussion and, in a keynote address, outlined steps the U.S. must take to meet growing consumer demand and ensure that mobile broadband innovation continues to thrive.

The forum was held at mobile health company Voxiva, recently named one of the 50 most innovative companies in the world and third most innovative in the mobile industry by Fast Company. Voxiva co-founder Paul Meyer discussed how broadband spectrum helps to enable important new technologies, services, and applications for consumers.

Mobile Future Chairman Jonathan Spalter moderated the event and noted, "Access to additional spectrum is critical to meeting explosive consumer demand and maximizing opportunities for consumers and businesses.  It takes years to bring spectrum to the market and the data shows we are already behind the curve. Now is the time for policymakers to move forward to address the growing wireless demand and ensure the right tools are in place to maintain the nation's leading role in mobile innovation."    

To watch the event and read the report visit: www.mobilefuture.org.

Mobile Future is a broad-based coalition of businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals interested in and dedicated to advocating for an environment in which innovations in wireless technology and services are enabled and encouraged.  Our mission is to educate the public and key decision makers on innovations in the wireless industry that have transformed the way Americans work and play and to advocate continued investment in wireless technologies. www.mobilefuture.org.

SOURCE Mobile Future