How Telecommunications Regulation Should Adapt to New Technologies and Learn From Water Law
The wireless spectrum is a vital natural resource. Like sunlight, it cannot be depleted and is available all around us. The challenge for government policy is to define and enforce rules to govern its use. Historically, those rules have tightly prescribed who, how, and for what purpose the wireless spectrum could be used. As such, traditional command-and-control rules limited opportunities for technological change, played favorites among technologies, and impeded marketplace activity.
As the command and control model approaches its 80th anniversary (dating back to its codification in the Radio Act of 1927), there is a widespread consensus that it needs to be replaced. The two candidates that will, likely in conjunction with one another, provide for greater dynamism and more efficient use of this resource are known colloquially as the “commons model” and the “property rights model.” In fits and starts, the Federal Communications Commission continues to implement each model.
Over the next several years, telecommunications policy will almost certainty move away from the existing command-and-control framework. In charting a new course, regulators must appreciate the changing technologies that can operate effectively using commons access spectrum and propertized spectrum. Moreover, regulators must consider carefully what rules will govern spectrum effectively.
In a variety of contexts–specified protocols for how commons spectrum is used; database requirements for those using spectrum; or property-like rights and remedies (i.e., injunctions for trespass)–it is clear that spectrum is not just like real property and requires a new model. In developing that framework, policymakers need to look not only around the world, but also to other legal regimes, such as water law. In this conference, we will set out the cutting edge perspectives on spectrum policy reform as well as examine what lessons water law can offer about restricting how spectrum is used and how it should (and should not) be propertized.
Sessions
Tutorial Overview and Introduction
@ Tutorials
- Patrick S. Ryan
Adjunct Professor of Law, Scholar in Residence and Faculty Director
WiMax and the Promise of International Wireless Standardization
@ Tutorials
- Roger Marks
VP of Technology Standards, WiMAX Forum
Understanding Software Defined Radio and Cognitive Radio
@ Tutorials
- Tim Brown
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Interdisciplinary Telecommunications Program
"What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" - How Wireless Fits Into an Integrated World
@ Tutorials
- Joe Glynn
President, Lefthand Communications, LLC
Welcome and Overview
@ Panels
New Wireless Technologies and Opportunites for Further Innovation
@ Panels
- Dale Hatfield
Spectrum Policy Initiative Co-director and Distinguished Advisor, Silicon Flatirons - Peter Mannetti
Formerly Managing Partner, iSherpa Capital, LLC - Mark McHenry
Founder, Shared Spectrum Company - Douglas Sicker
Department Head, Engineering and Public Policy Professor, Engineering & Computer Science - Butch Weaver
Executive Vice President and Fellow, NextWave Wireless
The Challenges of Spectrum Management Reform
@ Panels
- Bill Lehr
Professor of Economics, MIT - Chris Guttman-McCabe
Executive Vice President, CTIA - The Wireless Association - Gregory Rosston
Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, SIEPR - Bryan Tramont
Managing Partner, Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP
Break
@ Panels
Lessons from Water Law on Managing Common Pool Resources and Defining Fluid Rights
@ Panels
- Raymond Gifford
Partner, Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP - Gregory Hobbs
Justice, Colorado Supreme Court - Patrick S. Ryan
Adjunct Professor of Law, Scholar in Residence and Faculty Director - Mark Squillace
Professor of Law, University of Colorado
Keynote Address
@ Panels
- Kathleen Q. Abernathy
Executive Vice President, External Affairs, Frontier Communications
Reception
@ Panels