Work on DSA blog post as Proactive PR

Whilst on my recent work placement at Proactive PR, I contributed work used in a blog post for the DSA. The final post can be read in full here: http://dynamicspectrumalliance.org/blog/

My original contributtion can be read below.

Unveiling new spectrum sharing findings at Capitol Hill. 

Spectrum sharing has come a long way in recent years and stands to go even further. On March 12^th, we at the DSA, along with our co-sponsors the Congressional Spectrum Caucus, held a workshop at Capitol Hill to discuss findings and unveil our newest report on spectrum sharing.

The White Paper detailed findings on how automated frequency coordination (AFC) can be used to open up the spectrum to more possibilities than ever.

“Today marks an important step forward for not only the DSA but for everyone with a vested interest in maximising the potential of the spectrum,” said Paul Garnett, Chairman of the DSA Board. “AFC allows for fast and efficient access top the spectrum by searching for unused radio frequencies at any given time or location.”

Whilst these findings were certainly the star of the show, there was much more to be discussed. Discussions were held by some of the leading figures in the industry on a variety of topics.

“The event is a testament to all that the dynamic spectrum is capable of,” said Garnett, “bringing together Congressional staff as well as industry leaders and members of the press.”

The event was opened by Doris Matsui, a founding member of the Congressional Spectrum Caucus. Bringing experience and insight, Mrs Matsui emphasised the need for automated frequency modulation and efficient uses of the spectrum as well as touching on the challenges of deploying networks.

Other presentations included a ‘Fireside Chat’ with FCC Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Mike O’Rielly. Whilst the commissioners disagreed on some of the finer details of how to expand the roll-out of the spectrum and how it should be used efficiently in the future, they both remained positive in their ideals.

Ms Rosenworcel backed the idea that agencies should be offered some form of incentive to use the spectrum efficiently and estimate how much of it they would need to use in the future. She based her beliefs on the idea that if agencies were not given an incentive to use the spectrum efficiently, they would always estimate that they would need more than they would actually use.

O’Rielly responded with the view that instead of incentives, that “a kick in the pants” would also help keep agencies from overestimating the sheer amount of the spectrum they would use. The chat was moderated by the DSA’s very own former president, Kaplak Gude.

Derek Khlopin, Senior Advisor, Office of the Assistant Secretary for the National Telecommunications ad Information Administration (NTIA) discussed how NTIA had been a long standing supporter of spectrum sharing within the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS).

It then came time for Michael Calabrese, Director of the Wireless Future Program at New America Foundation, to present the findings of recent DSA research. Mr Calabrese presented the findings on the shared spectrum as well as giving a demonstration on how Automated Spectrum Access, a hot topic at the workshop, is already in use within CBRS.

The workshop was an overwhelming success. Many important topics were discussed, and social media and press coverage encouraged conversation. Here at the DSA we are overjoyed with the continued development of the spectrum and the clear plans for the future.