Skip to main content

 

Rep Anna Eshoo

WSJ - Fight for Airwaves Set to Continue

November 23, 2011

Rep. Eshoo recently spoke to Amy Schatz, staff writer for the Wall Street Journal, about the importance of preserving unlicensed spectrum for innovators, entrepenuers and technology firms in Silicon Valley. According to the FCC Chairman, 'Unlicensed spectrum fosters the kind of experimentation that leads to vitally important mobile innovations such as WiFi, cordless phones, and Bluetooth.' The Senate, in a bipartisan agreement, included language to ensure that the FCC can make an informed decision on unlicensed in the TV band, recognizing that you never close the door to future innovation.

Today, unlicensed devices generate between $16-37 billion per year to the U.S. economy. An excerpt of the article is below:

Another issue dividing lawmakers is what to do about "white spaces," or airwaves left vacant between TV channels to prevent interference. The Federal Communications Commission has given companies permission to use those airwaves for unlicensed devices. Google Inc., Microsoft Corp. and others hope the airwaves can be used to create new "super Wi-Fi" networks that could run more wireless gadgets.

But efforts by some Democratic lawmakers to set aside a portion of TV station airwaves for unlicensed use has been met with resistance by Republicans, who want to maximize the government's revenue from auctions.

"Unlicensed spectrum should not be auctioned. It should be preserved," said Rep. Anna Eshoo (D., Calif.), whose district encompasses much of Silicon Valley. "This is not about any individual company or start-up."

Wireless companies say they need more airwaves to keep up with consumer demand of wireless broadband phones and other gadgets like Apple Inc.'s iPad. Silicon Valley companies like Google and consumer electronics makers also threw their support behind setting more airwaves aside for use by wireless gadgets.

To read the full article, please click here.