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NEWS

US tech execs want more unlicensed spectrum, re-allocations

From "Tech CEOs urge US find more wireless airwaves," Reuters, 22 February:

"Chief executive officers of some leading technology companies plan to call on Thursday for the U.S. government to find more wireless airwaves for use as new applications emerge.

"The Technology CEO Council said on Wednesday it will issue a report urging Congress to order the Bush administration to analyze which airwaves are not being used best, and how they might be re-allocated. Additionally, the organization plans to urge the Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to consider allowing government airwaves that are underutilized to be used for other purposes.

" 'Our nation's wireless needs are too often governed by 1970s regulations that hinder economic progress and innovation,' Motorola Inc. CEO Edward Zander said in a statement obtained by Reuters. He serves as chairman of the technology organization.

"The group pushing for the changes also includes executives from Hewlett-Packard Co., IBM, Intel Corp., Dell Inc., EMC Corp. and Unisys Corp., among others.

"Wireless companies have been hungry for more airwaves as they deploy new services like high-speed Internet and video content.

"The executives also plan to suggest the FCC ease restrictions on wireless licenses so companies have more flexibility to use the airwaves for new services. They also will recommend making more unlicensed spectrum available that could be used for a variety of purposes...." [emphasis added]

© Reuters 2006

[Spectrum Policy: 23 February 2006]