Spectrum management, pricing, and efficiency control in broadband wireless communications

The radio spectrum is a unique, ubiquitous natural resource shared by various types of services. Unlike many other natural resources, it can be repeatedly reused. In practice, though, it remains a finite resource, and it can only accommodate a limited number of simultaneous users. This restriction requires careful planning and management for maximizing its value for all services. This is especially true since the demand for communication spectrum worldwide is rapidly increasing. As the pressure on spectrum increases with a generalized image of radio techniques, traditional ways to assess the merits of new technical solutions and to allocate as well as to tax frequencies appear to be adapted less and less. This paper reviews the present situation and stresses the need for more proactive, harmonized, and dynamic approaches linking technical and regulatory aspects in order to introduce broadband wireless communications systems