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“Propertyzing” The Electromagnetic Spectrum: Why It’s Important, And How To Begin

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Communications Deregulation and FCC Reform: Finishing the Job

Abstract

For the past century the telecommunications sector of the U.S. Economy has been an arena of substantial technological change and improvement. In 1900 telephony was in its infancy, and the first over-the-air broadcast of human speech had yet to be made. By the end of the century, telephone, radio, and television were commonplace but highly valued parts of American lives, while both wireline- and spectrum-based telecommunications had become essential to all aspects of the business world.

“… spectrum is a national resource and the FCC is its steward, charged with assuring the efficient use of spectrum for the benefit of the American public.” Susan Ness, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission1

Thanks are due to Timothy Brennan, Arthur de Vany, Charles Jackson, Alfred Kahn, Robert Kavesh, Thomas Krattenmaker, Xavier Martin, Randy May, Tom Pugel, Gregory Rosston, Adam Thierer, Bernard Yeung, and Robert Zipf for useful comments on an earlier draft.

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  1. New York University, USA

    Lawrence J. White

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White, L.J. (2001). “Propertyzing” The Electromagnetic Spectrum: Why It’s Important, And How To Begin. In: Eisenach, J.A., May, R.J. (eds) Communications Deregulation and FCC Reform: Finishing the Job. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1521-0_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1521-0_6

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