The Future of the Public Airwaves as a Common Asset and a Public Good

Watch or listen to the speech given by Mark Cooper, director of research for the Consumer Federation of America, at the funders briefing, "The Future of the Public Airwaves as a Common Asset and a Public Good: Implications for the Future of Broadcasting and Community Development in the U.S." (March 11, 2005).

In his remarks, Cooper provided a brief history of spectrum policy over the past century, and discussed the current transition to digital broadcasting and the role that advocacy groups are playing in securing the public interest in the digital age. He also outlined innovative uses of radio spectrum ("the airwaves") such as wireless technologies, low-power FM radio, and other community driven programming that are bringing connectivity to rural and disadvantaged communities.