Spectrum is vital for national security and economic prosperity. We urgently need novel dynamic spectrum sharing solutions and innovative economic and policy strategies to meet the rapidly increasing demand for this critical national resource.
Innovating Spectrum Management for National Security and Economic Prosperity
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What is the issue? The electromagnetic spectrum is a vital national resource, essential for wireless telecommunications and radio services. It plays a crucial role in our nation's economy, global competitiveness, and national security. Due to rising demand and competition for this important resource, there is an urgent need to innovate spectrum management.
The current spectrum management process is unsustainable, as it involves slow, costly, and inflexible methods like the static relocation of federal users to auction spectrum for commercial use. Rapid spectrum access is vital for maintaining competitiveness and security. However, political and economic barriers, including misaligned incentives, create tension between federal and commercial users. Additionally, technological readiness is a concern, as new solutions require advancement from early stages to wide deployment.
What did we do? MITRE has been a leading voice in advocating for whole-of-nation spectrum innovation to address the growing challenges in this area. A team from across MITRE examined the current issues and opportunities, developed actionable recommendations, and identified where resources and capabilities can assist the next administration in implementing the recommended spectrum management advancements.
What did we find? The paper identifies dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) as a promising solution to optimize spectrum resources, allowing efficient coexistence of diverse applications. Advanced DSS solutions can enable flexible resource allocation and capacity optimization, enhancing national security by prioritizing critical functions.
We recommend several strategies to address these challenges, including piloting a nationwide DSS platform with international interoperability, developing AI-enabled DSS solutions, encouraging private investment in advanced technologies, fostering policy innovation, reinvigorating receiver guidance, and strengthening collaboration with stakeholders.
Implementation considerations include short-term actions like reauthorizing the FCC’s auction authority and leveraging ongoing National Spectrum Strategy efforts, while long-term plans focus on developing strategies for trusted information sharing and building advanced collaboration frameworks.
By leading spectrum management reform, the next administration can secure national safety, drive economic growth, and enhance U.S. global leadership, ensuring efficient and effective use of spectrum resources.