Subject: | |
From: | |
Date: | Wed May 24 16:10:28 2006 |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
No question that allocators artificially INFLATE rents, by restricting the
supply of spectrum. They give away spectrum or sell it cheaply to
speculators. They don't pressure large broadcast companies to put their
spectrum hoards to use. They also unnecessarily withhold large sections of
spectrum, and limit the use of private spectrum as technology changes. See
http://www.newamerica.net/Download_Docs/pdfs/Pub_File_808_1.pdf and other
articles on the New America Foundation website.
Do allocators CREATE rents? There's an efficiency argument for creating
private titles to spectrum, just as there is for private land titles, oil
leases, or fishing rights. Restricting access to a scarce natural resource
does generate rent. Georgists argue that while it may be more efficient to
leave titles in private hands, the rent can and should be returned to the
public in the form of lease payments or taxes. If the Federal Government
were to lease spectrum at market, or tax its market value, spectrum hogs
would be forced to use it or sell it. Rents would plummet, but not disappear.
Polly Cleveland
|
|
|