Digital Global Systems (DGS) Calls Big Wireless’ Attempt To Monopolize Spectrum In Future Auctions Self-Serving

An Obstacle to U.S. Economic Development

DGS CEO Responds to Senate Bill Intended To Maintain Wireless Spectrum Status Quo

TYSONS, VA, March 27, 2024, 10 AM EST—Digital Global Systems (DGS), an innovator in wireless spectrum management and critical asset protection, is calling the recently proposed Spectrum Pipeline Act a bid to maintain the status quo and stifle development of the nation’s airwaves, the lifeblood of the digital economy.

The bill incorrectly supports continuance of the nation’s spectrum auctions, which create a money-making monopoly for the Big Wireless carriers, including AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, at the expense of innovation, access by other wireless innovators, and the ability for U.S. companies to cost-effectively compete in the rapidly growing digital economy, according to DGS. The bill also places pressure on the Pentagon to clear the majority of spectrum it uses in the lower 3 GHz and 7 to 8 GHz bands.

Alternatively, dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) proposed by the National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA)—and endorsed by the White House, DGS, the OnGo Alliance and other forward-looking enterprises—enables all U.S. organizations and enterprises to maximize the use of wireless spectrum and create a super-charged wireless framework with great macroeconomic potential for the nation.

DSS supports prioritizing current military use when needed and making bands accessible for commercial and public use when not. Spectrum sharing will reduce interference and enable access to new frequency bands, providing uninterrupted access to 5G communications that benefits all organizations, from the military and government organizations to education institutions and U.S. businesses.

“Spectrum is a limited resource and the lifeblood of the digital economy that has historically been gobbled up and monopolized by Big Wireless,” said DGS CEO Fernando Murias. “It’s in the best interests of the nation to create an open playing field that can unleash the wireless market’s—and by extension—the United States’ macroeconomic potential.”

In addition, the proposed reassignment of military wireless operations to a different spectrum ignores a major cause for the U.S.’s shared spectrum developments over more than a decade—how to extend commercial access to spectrum that is currently reserved for military organizations and other special users, not take it away or replace it. The DoD cannot vacate spectrum without massive costs and delays, while a continued traditional auction model limits access and ultimately throttles efficient usage.

“With today’s technologies, the government can—as NTIA has suggested—much more easily establish an updated dynamic spectrum sharing model that preserves the military’s access while unlocking a broad range of commercial uses and applications. Moving from exclusive licensed spectrum access to the shared spectrum model will drive greater technological innovation with a more affordable model,” Mr. Murias said.

Shared spectrum via Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS), the first shared cellular wireless spectrum in the U.S., has already unlocked value for businesses and the public with affordable, broad access, including in rural markets. Manufacturers are increasing wireless access across properties more affordably and with fewer access points. Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) are delivering high-speed broadband affordably to rural markets, and schools are providing free broadband access to local area students using CBRS. With integration of the latest Dynamic Spectrum Sharing technology, these applications can run much more efficiently to serve every organization based on real-time demands.

ABI Research says DGS dynamic spectrum sharing approach is “valuable and credible” and that dynamic spectrum sharing “will not only be necessary for the future of GAA (General Authorized Access) deployments, but will also significantly augment its capabilities.” Further, DGS has the intellectual property (184 issued and allowed patents, with 48 patents pending) and demonstrable solutions to enable true dynamic spectrum sharing–today. The company has just been awarded (Jan. ’24) Frost & Sullivan’s 2024 Global New Product Innovation Award for revolutionizing 4G/5G network optimization and enabling dynamic spectrum sharing. The company is partnering with Celona, Dell, Intel, Airspan and others to deploy its patented RF awareness and its dynamic spectrum sharing technology.

“DGS will enable American businesses to access low-cost spectrum for private wireless solutions, while maintaining military access to spectrum where and when it’s needed, which scares the big wireless companies that want to dominate the wireless access market,” added Murias. “The only moonshot here is getting all parties to cooperate, stop being self-serving and make spectrum sharing happen—the technology is already off the launch pad and ready for prime time.”

The Spectrum Pipeline Act was introduced earlier this month by Sen Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. John Thune (R-SD), and cosponsored by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).

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