Could there be a world trade agreement on spectrum?

With a secondary market operating in an increasing number of countries is it time for a specific set of WTO agreements on spectrum management? Some thought has clearly been given to this issue in diplomatic circles, writes Scott Billquist.

If spectrum can be bought or sold, then international trade could be liberalized or "bound" in the WTO. Binding a country's level of market liberalization in the WTO is often seen as stimulating the stable marketplace needed for investment. Many countries have slightly tougher ownership rules for spectrum than for ownership for a company because historically, spectrum has been used for broadcasting of information and possibly propaganda. Some countries for example, have strict rules on who can own a radio station. A number of countries retain the rules, which affect broadcasting, but more broadly they apply to wireless stations. Spectrum is much more closely monitored than wireline. If the WTO got more involved in spectrum, then logically it would need to take into account the trend towards spectrum trading, a telecom official said.

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