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Thomas W. Hazlett

The Political Spectrum: The Tumultuous Liberation of Wireless Technology, from Herbert Hoover to the Smartphone Hardcover – May 23, 2017

by Thomas Winslow Hazlett (Author)

41 ratings

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From the former chief economist of the FCC, a remarkable history of the U.S. government’s regulation of the airwaves

Popular legend has it that before the Federal Radio Commission was established in 1927, the radio spectrum was in chaos, with broadcasting stations blasting powerful signals to drown out rivals. In this fascinating and entertaining history, Thomas Winslow Hazlett, a distinguished scholar in law and economics, debunks the idea that the U.S. government stepped in to impose necessary order. Instead, regulators blocked competition at the behest of incumbent interests and, for nearly a century, have suppressed innovation while quashing out-of-the-mainstream viewpoints.

Hazlett details how spectrum officials produced a “vast wasteland” that they publicly criticized but privately protected. The story twists and turns, as farsighted visionaries—and the march of science—rise to challenge the old regime. Over decades, reforms to liberate the radio spectrum have generated explosive progress, ushering in the “smartphone revolution,” ubiquitous social media, and the amazing wireless world now emerging. Still, the author argues, the battle is not even half won.

Print length

416 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Yale University Press
Publication date

May 23, 2017
Dimensions

9.3 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
ISBN-10

0300210507
ISBN-13

978-0300210507
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A remarkable new book by Clemson University economist Thomas Hazlett... tells a chilling story of an agency that has always been both more and less than it appears to be." Larry Downes, Washington Post

"A fascinating history... exposing how inefficient, and perhaps corrupt, our spectrum policy really is.... Mr. Hazlett devotes a substantial portion of his book to arguments for reforms [and the book] is full of valuable instruction [on] the strategic use of the regulatory process." Greg Rosston, Stanford University, writing in the Wall Street Journal

"A perfect blend of economic insight, historical anecdotes, and lessons that present and future regulators in any industry can use to benefit citizens and society rather than being guided by their own aims, biases, or fears. Anybody interested in telecom, politics, regulation, or economics should read this book; they will learn much." Jeff Dorfman, University of Georgia, writing in Forbes

"Few issues could seem more dry and technical than how to divide up radio spectrum... But that impression would be mistaken... The Political Spectrum: The Tumultuous Liberation of Wireless Technology, from Herbert Hoover to the Smartphone, tells a thrilling, roller-coaster tale of how US regulators often blocked progress... Hazlett explains how recent reforms helped liberate the radio spectrum... ushering in the 'smartphone revolution', ubiquitous social media and the amazing wireless world." William Echikson, Huffington Post

"U.S. spectrum guru Tom Hazlett... has written a spectrum thriller." Kane Mumford, Policy Tracker

From the Author

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Yale University Press; Illustrated edition (May 23, 2017)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0300210507
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0300210507
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.69 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,308,200 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #166 in Radio History & Criticism (Books)
- #167 in Public Administration
- #666 in Media & Communications Industry (Books)

Customer Reviews:
41 ratings

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Bill Frezza

Pour yourself a drink and pull up a stool ...

Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2017

Verified Purchase

As a former engineer, entrepreneur, and venture capital investor who spent 40 years struggling to innovate under the arcane and destructive power of the FCC, Tom Hazlett’s romp through the history of this woebegone regulatory agency brought back many memories while filling in many blanks. This is not your usual boring academic treatise! Peppered with revealing anecdotes and acerbic commentary, reading this book was like sitting in a bar listening to Tom regale you with his stories, something I’ve had the pleasure of doing on many a late night. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to understand how badly served the public has been by politicized central planners captive to special interests, collectively retarding the march of technology and business progress for far too long. The FCC needs to go the way of the Civil Aeronautics Board and the Interstate Commerce Commission, and Tom explains exactly what to replace it with. Kudos on a great read.

12 people found this helpful

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Clinton Galloway

A Clear Vision of the History and Future of Wireless Technology

Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2017

Verified Purchase

A well written and researched work regarding the history and shortcomings of the regulatory process since the radio and television eras. The author demonstrates how the outdated regulatory process threatens the natural growth in todays most important wireless media. The benefits to the public with the limited regulation of the cellular industry (reduced prices, greater access) are a tangible demonstration of the power of market forces instead of regulatory overreach.

The author has created a carefully crafted narrative that does not require you to be an economist or tech savant to understand the implications of overregulation by starting with wireless media that we all can relate to, radio and television. The timing of this work is critical as we are continually discussing “net neutrality”. Only market forces can level the monopolistic playing field gained by broadband.

The author has done something quite important in this day of complaints. In addition to telling us the problem he has offered carefully considered solutions that can keep the U.S competitive in a rapidly changing world market. When a person of Dr. Hazlett’s experience, knowledge and expertise offers a solution to such an important issue I can only hope that the powers that be (FCC, Congress) will carefully consider these clearly explained remedies that can be implemented in a short time frame. This book bodes well for the resurgence of the non-fiction genre.

17 people found this helpful

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Mark Fowler

SAUSAGE MAKING WAS MORE RATIONAL THAN SPECTRUM ALLOCATION

Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2017

Verified Purchase

This book tells the story of wireless communications in the United States -- the dynamic interactions and clashes which determined how spectrum has been assigned in the U.S., for what communications systems, starting with the advent of broadcast radio in the 1920s. With rich research, how spectrum was awarded and who won and who lost, how visionaries and mercenaries fought political battles over the awarding, the author brings to life the myriad twists and turns that constructed, sometimes haphazardy, our present day spectrum use. In the award and use of communications spectrum, regulation or lack thereof, has been a major factor in the efficient, best, and highest uses of spectrum.

The regulatory philosophies of the Federal Communications Commission were basically of two kinds: heavy government regulation, lengthy award processes, and the inevitable intrusion of special interest lobbying in influencing and determining the regulatory outcome; and the reliance on marketplace forces beginning in 1981 with the Reagan FCC. -- both to allocate spectrum. The two spectrum allocation models are discussed in detail, and how each awarded that spectrum: the central command regulation of politically appointed FCC commissioners, and what the author refers to as the "toaster"model, meaning allocation through marketplace forces,

The book is highly educational, but at the same time, entertaining -- even amusing. Marconi tested the first wireless system, using a transmitter on one side of a river, with a receiver on the other. The author amuses by observing that broadcasting at that moment was quite limited, as only Marconi had a receiver.

The author had a bird-eye view of spectrum sausage making in the 1990s, as a chief economist at the FCC; As an economist set on seeing marketplace mechanisms to make spectrum awards, the author must have been appalled at the heavily political process that preceeded far more fair and rational ways of awarding spectrum -- namely spectrum actions. The by now validated method awarded the players spectrum who bid highest, because they had in mind the highest and best use of that spectrum.Congress, of course, loved any system that deposited auction proceeds in the Treasury, to be spent.

."Political Spectrum" is a wise primer on how to best allocate communications spectrum. It is, based upon the trial and error of the U.S finding the best way to allocate in a manner best serving the public . It should be read globally by communications regulators, professors of communications,and policy makers outside of government, It's a fun read of an up to now hidden part of American regulatory and political communications history.

5 people found this helpful

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