Spectrum resource optimization in context

If, as the quotations above suggest, new technologies create growth but radio regulation exhibits no will to use them, then our economic progress and general well being will be less — perhaps substantially less — than they would be otherwise. The radio spectrum resource is an essential part of today's modern economies — contributing to trillions of dollars of economic activity every year. The traditional spectrum management process often fails to react quickly to changes in technology or in user needs. New mechanisms, specifically property — right regimes and shared, unlicensed bands — are tools to that permit both more rapid innovation and the deployment of more efficient uses. The papers in this special issue explore various aspects of more efficient spectrum use.