More Spectrum for Mobile Broadband

The FCC may be biting off more than it can effectively chew.

Next week, details of the "National Broadband Plan" will be unveiled, which are expected to cover the voluntary reallocation of unused television broadcasting spectrum, the establishment of a national mobile broadband network for first responders (fire departments, police, ambulances), and the delivery of mobile broadband services to rural areas of the country.  All of these initiatives are meant to leverage, "our country's mobile broadband leadership opportunity," and meet, "our global competitiveness challenge."

While the country's wireless service providers are drooling over the chance to acquire more bandwidth to serve their data-hungry audience, I think the FCC is counting on a lot of cooperation from all the parties involved, including those who have the most to lose.  And I don't think everyone is going to be so ready to play nice.