Appendix C
Statement of Task
An expert committee will be convened to conduct a comprehensive assessment of wireless technology and application trends and their implications for spectrum management and policy. The study will be grounded in an assessment of how technology capabilities are evolving, including the implications of emerging technologies (such as software radios, smart antennas, and other intelligent signal processing), architectural alternatives (such as base station-based and peer-to-peer), services (such as 3rd and 4th generation mobile, local area networking, and fixed broadband), and applications. Building on this technology assessment, the study will also examine the interplay between the technical, economic, and policy issues. Key policy issues to be considered include spectrum supply and demand, alternative spectrum management approaches (including unlicensed approaches), standards-setting processes and forums, and how the international environment is evolving and affecting U.S. policy options. The committee is seeking broad input on these issues from academic and industry experts and diverse stakeholders.
In addition, the committee will convene a workshop examining the present and prospective needs of public- and private-sector spectrum users and technology and policy options for more efficient and effective use of spectrum. The scope of topics to be considered in the workshop will be very similar to that of the broader study, but with additional emphasis on federal, state, and local government spectrum uses.
The committee will issue a brief report of the workshop. The committee will also produce a final report with consensus findings and recommendations.
