The Perfect Way to Manage Spectrum

This article discusses the key principles of radio spectrum management with a focus on spectrum allocation and access. We show the current regime’s inherent rigidity and constrained possibilities for introducing new radiocommunication services and applications. The article proposes how governments and spectrum users could cooperate in taking spectrum management to a qualitatively new level, characterized by light touch regulation and flexible use. This could be achieved through the broader introduction of emerging practices such as Spectrum Usage Rights, liberalized spectrum trading, and full shared spectrum access. We conclude by presenting a vision for a “perfect” spectrum management arrangement and future research directions.