The Problem? • Mobile Internet is Expensive • Mobile Internet is Slow • Mobile Internet is Flakey / Unreliable • Mobile Internet is Bandwidth-constrained by spectrum resources
“The demand for spectrum will exceed supply by 2013, according to (FCC) estimates. If that happens, the speed of the mobile revolution will slow down. Prices, download times and consumer frustration will all increase. And at a societal level we risk jeopardizing the future of our nation's vital mobile Internet infrastructure.” Randall Stephenson AT&T CEO
• AT&T and T-Mobile both use compatible GSM Networks. • AT&T and T-Mobile both use compatible spectrum in West Michigan (PCS & AWS) • Neither AT&T nor T-Mobile share networks in Grand Rapids.
“The demand for spectrum will exceed supply by 2013, according to (FCC) estimates. If that happens, the speed of the mobile revolution will slow down. Prices, download times and consumer frustration will all increase. And at a societal level we risk jeopardizing the future of our nation's vital mobile Internet infrastructure.” Randall Stephenson AT&T CEO
[company] [ total ] [ in use ] [ free ] SpectrumCo (Comcast) 20 mhz - - 20 mhz Leap Wireless (Cricket) 10 mhz - - 10 mhz Grand Rapids, MI (Kent County) These companies do not offer wireless service of any kind in the entire state of Michigan.
Green : Microcells that could exist, but don’t currently each cell could provide an additional 200Mbps on non- overlapping spectrum, using just CLEARWIRE spectrum.
The Problem. • Mobile Internet is Expensive (nope) • Mobile Internet is Flakey / Unreliable (doesn’t need to be) • Mobile Internet is Bandwidth-constrained by limited available spectrum (not a chance)
The Problem. • Mobile Internet is Expensive • Mobile Internet is Flakey / Unreliable • Mobile Internet is Bandwidth-constrained by limited available spectrum • Mobile Internet is controlled by a unregulated semi-monopoly of powerful global un-accountable corporations who are plotting to destroy the world?
Is this concerning? Things you can do. • Use your voice : - Contact the FCC - Contact your elected representatives Congress : (Bill Huizenga, Justin Amash) Senate : (Carl Levin, Debbie Stabenow) Use your dollars : - Support smaller, local providers when possible. (Sprint, T-Mobile, MetroPCS, Clearwire, Azulstar, iServe)