Spectrum policy changes to fit changing circumstances, but new policies don’t always work out as planned. There have been great successes and striking failures—though opinion may differ about whether something was a success or a failure. This conference will try to learn from past policy decisions to inform current and future rulemakings.
The conference will consist of two keynote speeches, three panel discussions, and a wrap-up session to draw conclusions. A report will be prepared by students of the University of Colorado Law School.
The first panel will attempt to define factors that determine the success or failure of spectrum policies. Considerations might include efficient use, consumer benefit, and scientific progress. Other questions include how much time must pass before one can draw conclusions, and how to weigh benefits against unintended side effects.
The second panel will focus attention on policy successes, particularly underappreciated ones. (We’ll take it as given that flexible license auctions and unlicensed spread spectrum were successes.) The third panel will explore some policy failures. Candidates for discussion include allowing cellular operation in land mobile radio bands, ultra-wideband, TV white spaces, allowing terrestrial operation in satellite bands, auction set-asides, a hard date for the digital television transition, and the D Block public safety auction.
In a short closing session, the panel moderators will reconvene to identify highlights, conclusions, and themes of the conference.
Sessions
Welcome
Opening Keynote
Panel 1 – Defining Success and Failure
- Bryan Tramont — Moderator
Managing Partner, Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP - Michele C. Farquhar — Panelist
Partner, Hogan Lovells - Thomas W. Hazlett — Panelist
H. H. Macaulay Endowed Professor, Clemson University - Julius Knapp — Panelist
Former Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology (retired), Federal Communications Commission - Peter Mannetti — Panelist
Formerly Managing Partner, iSherpa Capital, LLC
Break
Panel 2 – Successes
- Robert B. Kelly — Moderator
Partner, Squire Patton Boggs - Rob Alderfer — Panelist
Vice President, Technology Policy, CableLabs - Larry Downes — Panelist
Project Director, Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy - David Goldman — Panelist
Director of Satellite Policy, SpaceX - Charla Rath — Panelist
Vice President, Wireless Policy Development, Verizon
Break
Panel 3 - Failures
- Jennifer Manner — Moderator
Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, EchoStar Corporation - Jim Lansford — Panelist
Director, Technical Standards, Qualcomm - Blair Levin — Panelist
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program, The Brookings Institution - Erin McGrath — Panelist
Legal Advisor, Federal Communications Commission - Steve Sharkey — Panelist
Vice President, Government Affairs, Engineering and Technology Policy, T-Mobile USA, Inc.
Break
Closing Keynote
- David J. Redl
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and Administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Panel 4 – So What?
- JP de Vries — Moderator
Director Emeritus and Distinguished Advisor, Silicon Flatirons - Robert B. Kelly
Partner, Squire Patton Boggs - Jennifer Manner
Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, EchoStar Corporation - Bryan Tramont
Managing Partner, Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP
Reception
Please note: Per university alcohol policy, only registered guests will be admitted to the reception.