We asked our panelists: The origin story of Wi-Fi is an interesting one, invented in the “junk bands” in our airwaves more than two decades ago. What does this tell us about how we design our spectrum policies today?

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Harold Feld, Public Knowledge, Senior Vice President:

We need to create as much room as possible for flexibility, but also for openness. Licensed spectrum is officially “flexible use;” we generally no longer require that users of a certain band offer a specific type of service, such as broadcasting. But in reality, all allocations of spectrum distributed by auction over the last 15 years have been customized for mobile voice and mobile data. Why? Because only a handful of companies can afford to win licenses on a national scale (or even just in major markets), and these companies offer mobile voice and broadband. So while our official policy on licensed is “flexible use,” the technical rules make it hard to do anything by LTE.

Unlicensed, by contrast, is completely open to everyone for any sort of innovation. As a result, we have seen an explosion of different technologies. It allowed not only Wi-Fi to develop, but also Bluetooth and hundreds of other uses from hearing aids to TV remotes.

Moral: we need to create spectrum space for individuals to innovate without permission, and we need to make it cheap to adopt these innovations in the marketplace.

Kristian Stout, ICLE, Director of Innovation Policy:

Actually, it’s even more interesting. Hedy Lamarr was one of the principal pioneers of the technology in 1941. But my digression actually underscores the point of your question and what I noted above: the history of technological innovation is uneven and unpredictable. Having room for innovators to try new techniques will lead to better outcomes for society.

Bartlett Cleland, Innovation Economy Institute, Executive Director:

All eyes should be firmly focused on the opportunity to provide an environment that allows, if not fosters, innovation. In addition, Wi-Fi is a great example of Say’s Law, that supply creates its own demand. Understanding and appreciating the economic facts and the inherent value of an innovative ecosystem to the U.S. is necessary to construct solid and constructive public policy. Had the “junk bands” been burdened with regulation, if legislators and regulators had interfered believing they understood the marketplace, we very well may not have Wi-Fi today.

David Coleman, Extreme Networks — Director of Wireless, Office of the CTO:

For over 20 years, Wi-Fi has provided true wireless mobility and secure connectivity. And yes, it started in the unlicensed 2.4 “junk band.” Despite the limitations of that band, the popularity and usefulness of Wi-Fi took off like a rocket. However, we quickly learned that 2.4 GHz was inadequate to meet enterprise and consumer demands, so the 5 GHz spectrum was needed and now 6 GHz is available. The lesson to learn: The availability of unlicensed spectrum has undeniable benefits for the American consumer, a proactive spectrum policy is always preferable as opposed to a reactive policy.

Rick Chessen, NCTA — The Internet & Television Association, Senior Vice President, Legal and Regulatory Affairs and Chief Legal Officer:

The origins of Wi-Fi demonstrate that innovations in spectrum policy can lead to innovative technologies that cannot be predicted at the time of the policy decision. New innovations such as the 3.5 GHz CBRS spectrum access system are already a reality today, but that initial 3.5 GHz decision has the potential to unlock a whole host of sharing innovations in this and other spectrum bands that even now we cannot foresee. Good spectrum policy that sets careful rules of the road but does not lock in a given era’s wireless technology creates a strong foundation for innovation. And that’s what happened with Wi-Fi.

Now it’s your turn: tweet us or email us with your take on spectrum policy to join this conversation. We might feature thoughtful submissions right here in a future piece.