Is "Spectrum Crunch" Real?

Two "debates" seem primed to rage over the next couple of years. First, there will be an argument about whether the mobile "spectrum crunch" is real or not.

Second, there will be a sharp debate about how to allocate a huge block of "refarmed" former TV broadcast spectrum for mobile purposes.

The first argument includes both doubters who suspect bandwidth issues are not as pronounced as most in the industry believe, as well as proponents of alternative approaches, such as allocating large amounts of new unlicensed spectrum.

Of course, many argue that the spectrum needs are real, noting that smartphone traffic in 2015 will be 47 times greater than it is in early 2012.  New devices such as tablets also use 120 times as much bandwidth as smart phones.  Expect lots of sparring over spectrum issues over the next couple of years, for obvious business reasons. Without spectrum, a mobile service provider has no business at all. And many would argue more benefits will accrue to businesses and consumers if lots of unlicensed spectrum is made available.