CCA Commends Committee on Science, Space, and Technology for Hearing on Spectrum and Innovation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lucy Tutwiler
April 18, 2012 (202) 449-9866
CCA Commends Committee on Science, Space, and Technology for Hearing on Spectrum and Innovation
Washington, DC – Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing entitled, “Avoiding the Spectrum Crunch: Growing the Wireless Economy through Innovation.” CCA commends the Committee for holding the hearing, as access to usable spectrum is critical to competitive carriers, and encourages decision makers to support policies of interoperability for the 700 MHz spectrum band.
In a statement, CCA President & CEO Steven K. Berry said, “It is critically important for policymakers to understand the numerous benefits interoperability will bring to consumers and the economy. The premise is simple: any device using the same technology can operate and roam on all networks in a given spectrum band. Additionally, and perhaps even more importantly, interoperability is technologically achievable, and policymakers can act today to ensure consumers and businesses everywhere can immediately reap the benefits.”
Berry continued, “The FCC required interoperability when issuing the first cellular licenses, yet since the commercial auction of the 700 MHz band, the largest two carriers have bifurcated the spectrum in order to eliminate competition. Without interoperability, many competitive carriers cannot invest in and build out their 4G/LTE networks. A return to interoperability is essential to ensuring a competitive wireless industry, maximizing efficiency of spectrum for mobile broadband, and extending the reach of investment in research and development.”
About CCA
CCA is the nation’s leading association for competitive wireless providers serving rural and regional areas of the United States. The licensed service area of CCA’s more than 100 members covers 95 percent of the nation.
