We won’t win the global race for wireless leadership without smart, innovative spectrum policy. The Big Three cellular giants want Congress to wall off more of America’s spectrum for their own exclusive use. But forcing the Pentagon to waste $250 billion clearing out critical radar and missile defense systems could leave us less safe.
American spectrum policy needs to put America first, protecting critical defense systems, serving more users, and bringing more spectrum to market through spectrum sharing technologies developed here in the U.S. and led by American companies.
Spectrum Sharing Helps America Stay Secure
China is pushing its top-down, command-and-control spectrum playbook on the rest of the world to create a bigger market for companies like Huawei and ZTE. American spectrum policy needs to put America first and protect critical defense systems. Spectrum sharing technologies developed here in the U.S. and led by American companies are the answer.
~$250+B
The cost of relocating the U.S. Navy’s radar and anti-ballistic missile systems to clear just one prime band for exclusive licensing.
$19B
The estimated net revenue that shared licensing could generate for the American people in that same Lower 3 GHz band.
Experts Agree: Spectrum Sharing Benefits U.S. National Security and Military Operations:
“Proven spectrum sharing models, such as the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS), demonstrate that the military can retain priority access to key spectrum while safely and securely opening the band to factories, warehouses, rural internet providers, schools, airports, and other innovative users. As a result, consumers gain the benefits from new wireless technologies, improved connectivity, and more competitive prices—without forcing massive costs and dangerous disruptions on our armed services.”
Brigadier General Rob Lyman
“The last thing the Armed Forces should have to focus on right now is a potential drawback in their ability to protect our country. We face the most dangerous world in 30-plus years, with threats ranging from Russia to Iran to North Korea to China. Anything that diverts the military’s attention right now ultimately endangers our national security. One of the greatest challenges faced by military commanders is that of communications. Clear and concise exchange of information has always been vital to any successful military operation — even more so today. Effective command and control is at the heart of leadership, and efficient use of spectrum allows it.”
General Keith Kellogg
“We should balance the military’s access to certain spectrum bands with our nation’s economic growth and prosperity. We can do this by finding a solution that opens up spectrum while preserving access for our military warfighters. One option is ‘dynamic spectrum sharing,’ which would allow multiple entities to access and use the same radio frequencies. Proven sharing models, like the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS), have already shown that commercial users and government users can share the same spectrum efficiently and without interference. For example, the U.S. Navy uses CBRS bands for mission-critical offshore radar operations.”
Secretary Mike Pompeo