The FCC is currently considering whether to change how spectrum is allocated now that new technologies have made the resource less scarse. Spectrum = speech, and the only reason the FCC was allowed to start chopping it up and selling it to big companies for big money was because the technology for transmitting and receiving signals was in its infancy and signals were disrupted when waves travelling to close to one another interferred with each other.
Now-- there's a huge market for smart-- or cognitive-- devices that can send and receive signals with far less (or no) impact on other signals. The software to run these new devices may be the next 'killer app." Yet the FCC's proposals would restrict innovation by allowing use of only certain techniques for reducing interference and mandating that software be 'certified' by the agency before it can be deployed.
I drafted comments and am drafting 'reply comments' on the cognitive radio proceeding before the FCC right now on behalf of a group of technology companies that have banded together to push for policies that promote innovation instead of stifle it. It is so so so important that technology companies join us in this effort.
To sign the comments, please send an email including your name, title,
company name, address and phone number to sbrownATpublicknowledge.org (Public Knowledge is organizing this effort) by TUESDAY JUNE 1, 2004.