Is there really a spectrum “crunch?” Actually, the answer is more nuanced than you might think.
Certainly, there are places--such as the South Pacific--where spectrum seems not to be an issue, and is not considered to be a major concern even in the future. But that likely is an exception to the rule.
There are some who argue there really is not generally a problem, though that view seems a distinctively small minority opinion. And "when?" is a key qualifier.
Whether there is a spectrum problem today--in larger nations-- is a different question than whether there will be a problem later, unless multiple approaches are used to supply more spectrum.
Most observers agree that demand for mobile and untethered Internet access is growing fast, and will grow even faster as people consume more full motion video on untethered and mobile devices.
Perhaps the better question is whether ISPs will need much more spectrum in the future to meet demand, even if they aggressively re-farm existing spectrum, redesign networks and have access to better network gear.
There is widespread agreement that mobile will become the primary way most people use the Internet, perhaps as early as 2017.
And if people start to use mobile Internet connections as they do fixed Internet connections, demand for spectrum will qualitatively change our notions of how much spectrum will be required.
Reasonable people can agree that spectrum ought to be “hoarded” only to deprive potential competitors of the assets. But reasonable people also can agree that present trends point to a clear need for more spectrum.
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