Lenard: Network Best Prospect for Mobile Broadband Competition
Contact: Amy Smorodin
(202) 828-4405
December 17, 2012 – In comments filed with the Federal Communications Commission, Technology Policy Institute President Thomas Lenard recommends the agency approve LightSquared’s license modification request in order to hasten deployment of its mobile broadband network. Having already made significant investments, LightSquared remains the most immediate prospect for becoming a viable competitor in the mobile broadband space, particularly for underserved areas.
In his comments, Lenard explains that the significant investments already made by LightSquared “demonstrates the potential value the spectrum is capable of producing if deployed for mobile broadband.” Lenard also urges the Commission to consider the economic and consumer benefits that will be lost if the company is unable to deploy its network. “LightSquared’s proposed wireless broadband network will produce an estimated $12 billion in value to the economy and potentially 10 times that amount-$120 billion-in benefits to consumers,” he explains.
“LightSquared has gone to great lengths to accommodate the GPS community and other users, while searching for an alternative that would finally allow the construction of a nationwide network,” Lenard concludes. “The Commission should approve the proposed license modification.”
Lenard’s comments are available on the TPI website.
The Technology Policy Institute
The Technology Policy Institute is a non-profit research and educational organization that focuses on the economics of innovation, technological change, and related regulation in the United States and around the world. More information is available at https://techpolicyinstitute.org/.
