Potential for deregulation of land mobile radio services

The purpose of this paper is to assess the potential for deregulating the use of land mobile radio spectrum. The rationale and goals of spectrum management are discussed and critically analyzed within the context of technical and regulatory constraints. Proposed economic or marketplace techniques for managing the spectrum are compared to existing regulations, and their respective externalities are assessed. A strong potential for deregulating land mobile spectrum is found. Recommendations are made to recognize economic efficiency as a goal of spectrum management, to break down block allocations, to unlock regulations from particular technologies, and to experiment with economic or marketplace techniques.