Kerry and Snowe introduce a bill to lay the groundwork for a spectrum plan

[karynnj]

Among other things, the Spectrum Measurement and Policy Reform Act from Sens. John Kerry and Olympia Snowe call on the Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to take stock of the spectrum that's actually out there.

Specifically, the bill wants the agencies to work together to figure out who is using what on the electromagnetic spectrum and how often they use it, which will lay the groundwork for a national strategic plan for spectrum. They would also have to implement spectrum sharing and reuse programs, which would be areas used by commercial and government interests.
<snip>
"Our nation's competitiveness, economic growth, and national security demand that we allocate the necessary attention to current policy shortcomings, and enactment of this vital legislation will help avert the looming spectrum crisis and allow us to continue to enjoy the boundless benefits of spectrum-based services," Sen. Snowe, a Maine Republican, said in a statement.

"Our nation's airwaves are finite resources, and we need to use them as efficiently as possible," said Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat. "This analysis will help us empower innovation, encourage competition, and lower prices for emerging technologies nationwide."

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2366688,00.asp

The article has links both to Snowe's introduction of the bill for herself and Kerry and to the administration's actions related to this.

[quiet.american]

1. Thanks for posting. Bookmarked to read later. nt

[Recursion]

2. But I learned on DU bipartisanship never accomplishes anything...

And on a geek note, I'm thrilled to see Congress address this question. Need to be cautious and wait til I see what they come up with, though. Some degree of megacorporate giveaway is inevitable, but hopefully it can be kept within reasonable limits.

[karynnj]

3. ha ha

I am thrilled that Congress i addressing it. I looked at the bill (that can be seen by clicking on introduced in the actual article. I don't know enough to know whether it can actually make sure that the unassigned spectrum is used to benefit of the public - it seems clear that that is Kerry's and Snowe's goal.

I did watch one hearing - where that was what Kerry at least stressed as his goal.

[superconnected]

4. I have to wonder which corporations lobbiests are behind this.

I mean do you guys really think Kerry and Snowe sit around caring about this stuff?

[ProSense]

5. "I mean do you guys really think Kerry and Snowe sit around caring about this stuff?"

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet, Senator Kerry does and takes a strong interest in FCC-related issues.

[superconnected]

7. Thank you for that correction!

[Cha]

6. Thanks Kerry.. and a

republican on board!?