All of the wireless, satellite and mobile broadband services that we take for granted today – and those that will drive the U.S. and global economy for decades to come – require the use of radio spectrum. Every four years, at the World Radio Communications’ Conference (WRC), government representatives from across the globe meet to negotiate and establish the international rules for how that spectrum will be used. When those rules are innovative and forward thinking, they can spur competition, encourage the creation of new services, and drive economic growth.
The next World Radio Conference is set for 2015 (WRC-15), and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has just begun to prepare for that conference. It has established an industry advisory committee to provide advice and counsel about the positions the United States should take at WRC-15. Given the importance of the WRC to global spectrum policy – and the importance of that policy to the future of global economic growth – I am honored to have been named Chair of the FCC’s Advisory Committee for WRC-15. And I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with my friend and former colleague at the FCC, Diane Cornell, who will serve as Vice Chair.
The U.S. communications industry has for decades led the world in crafting spectrum policies that enabled industry to offer consumers new services and lower prices. With the explosion of smartphones, tablets and other wireless devices, and the exponential growth in mobile data usage, it is critical that the U.S. communications industry continue to help the world make the best spectrum choices for the future. Advanced wireless services open up tremendous opportunities when it comes to education, health care, energy, entertainment, and many other aspects of our daily lives. Smart spectrum allocation decisions will fuel innovation, boost our economy, and create jobs for years to come.
The FCC’s WRC Advisory Committee historically has provided expert analysis and advice to the FCC based on the communications industry’s invaluable expertise and ability to find consensus on important issues. Although Neustar does not hold or use spectrum, we do have extensive experience in working with the communications industry as a neutral third party. Because of the importance of fostering consensus within the Advisory Committee, I am looking forward to playing a role in helping bring industry members together to provide effective counsel to the FCC.
I want to thank Chairman Genachowksi for continuing to recognize the importance of spectrum to the economy and the future of the country. I look forward to working with the Chairman and other FCC Commissioners, the exceptional FCC staff, and my colleagues from the private sector as we do the hard work of ensuring that the United States remains in the forefront of spectrum-policy issues heading into the 2015 World Radio Conference.
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