Group backs calls for unlicensed spectrum

A coalition of tech firms and public interest groups argued unlicensed spectrum is a crucial source of innovation to the U.S. economy in a statement issued Tuesday.

The Wireless Innovation Alliance, whose members include Google, Microsoft and Public Knowledge, praised a bipartisan group of senators for their opposition to provisions in the House spectrum bill that would tie the Federal Communications Commission's hands with respect to unlicensed spectrum.

The senators urged Senate leadership not to ignore the platform for innovation offered by unlicensed spectrum, which has spawned WiFi, remote controls and garage door openers, in favor of a short-term financial windfall. The WIA echoed that stance.

"Curtailing unlicensed uses of spectrum will result in the loss of a crucial platform for 'innovation without permission' as well as billions of dollars to the U.S. economy," the group said. "While deficit reduction is an important goal of any impending spectrum legislation, it must not be met by strangling the potential of Super WiFi."

Technologists have predicted the spectrum freed during the digital TV transition and approved for unlicensed use by the FCC could spawn new Super WiFi technology capable of covering an entire town. But House Republicans argue the government should not pay for airwaves just to give them away again for free.

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