Has A Solution Been Found For The Upcoming Broadband Shortage?

At the end of December 2012, the CTIA reported that there were 326.4 million active devices, including smart phones, feature phones, tablets, hotspots, etc.   With the number of mobile subscriptions increasing, the FCC projected a spectrum shortage for broadband services in the not so distant future. Even though, the government adopted the Broadcast Television Spectrum Incentive Auction NPRM on September 28, 2012, which will clear and allocate some of the television spectrum as a way for the wireless networks to keep pace the demand for spectrum, the scientists at the Idaho National Laboratory still sought out a different approach.

Researcher Dr. Juan Deaton has been studying how cell networks could optimize the spectrum in order to get the most use out of the existing range. If spectrum deficit indeed becomes a problem then consumers would experience dropped calls and slower connections.

“It is estimated that connected life will account for $4.5 trillion globally in 2020,” said Deaton. “But if we have only half the spectrum we need to conduct business like we are used to doing, it could negatively impact the U.S. economy by about $750 million.”

If the broadband spectrum continues to decrease then we’ll have a major problem on our hands. Next year, the FCC is set to auction off parts of the television spectrum as a way to increase the broadband spectrum. This may only be a temporary fix though if wireless technology continues to grow at the current rate.

Source: Idaho National Laboratory