This module starts our exploration of spectrum management and policy by identifying the benefits of the spectrum resource in modern society and introducing the key stakeholders typically involved in setting spectrum policy. This knowledge will help you understand and explain why spectrum management and policy are a dynamic, emerging field that is important to the ongoing evolution of wireless technologies in the Digital Age. We will also cover the wide range of important players and their traditional interests in creating spectrum policy solutions. Indeed, after completing this module, you will gain useful insights into the many potential career paths available to you through these stakeholders, one of which may match your career interests!

In this module, we will dig a bit deeper into each step of the 4-step Spectrum Management Framework to gain a better understanding of the important policy principles and regulatory approaches associated with each step. Our framework provides an end-to-end description of the basic steps involved in modern spectrum management. Thus, the knowledge you will gain from this module will be essential to providing you with a strong foundation in modern spectrum management practices employed by policymakers. As you progress through the module, it will be important for you to pay attention to the “common language” used to describe the legal, economic and technical drivers at each step. One of the greatest benefits of using a framework to describe a complex system is the common nomenclature that allows important relationships to be described straightforwardly. If you don’t pick up the common language in each step, then you are not gaining the full benefits of our Framework!

Please answer the multiple-choice question in the Course Completion quiz and read the Course Conclusion page to wrap up your course.