2004 Wireless Broadband Forum

May 19, 2004
Washington, D.C.

This Forum examined the economic, regulatory, and technological factors that impact the deployment of wireless broadband services. Wireless broadband business, technology, and regulatory experts shared their knowledge, experiences, and views on the future of the industry.

Two sessions took place in the morning. Wireless Broadband Technologies addressed advancements in technology, the creation of seamless, integrated networks, and standards development. Topics on the Broadband Business Strategies panel included examples of successful wireless broadband deployments to date, ways of gauging consumer demand, and the interplay between content providers and wireless operators.

There were two additional sessions in the afternoon. Barriers to Entry in the Broadband Market panelists discussed regulatory and other barriers to wireless broadband deployment, how rules affect investment and risk, and how the FCC could maximize flexibility of its spectrum allocation and licensing rules. Looking to the Future addressed whether wireless broadband will become a "third pipe" in the broadband sector, which technologies and applications will be successful with consumers down the road, and whether wireless broadband networks will replicate the wired Internet or provide innovative, niche services.

In conjunction with the Forum, members of the wireless broadband industry/community submitted information on the industry—including statistics, white papers, and presentations—that they felt was relevant to the topics discussed at the Forum. This collection of information is available at Comments Received