Last week CCIA filed Comments in the FCC’s 2 GHz rulemaking proceeding. The Commission’s proposed rules would grant mobile satellite spectrum (MSS) licensees flexibility to use their licensed spectrum to deploy mobile voice and broadband services – increasing the amount of spectrum available for these services.
CCIA’s supports the Commission’s work to increase the amount of spectrum available for mobile broadband. And the proposed rule will allow the Commission to take steps toward meeting the goals of the National Broadband Plan to free up additional spectrum and to deploy high-speed mobile broadband to more Americans.
Importantly, the Commission’s proposal will also spur much-needed competition in the mobile marketplace. For the past year DISH Network has sought spectrum flexibility to deploy its planned 4G LTE mobile broadband network, and the Commission’s proposed rule will allow DISH to begin its launch and bring a fifth national mobile carrier into the market.
CCIA has long recognized the need for additional competition in the mobile market, but recent industry trends have been towards consolidation rather than investment, expansion, and innovation. DISH’s forthcoming entry into the mobile broadband market is welcome news.
For these reasons CCIA supports the Commission’s proposed rules and urges the FCC to conclude its work as soon as possible.