[BC] Chicken Little - CNN Style

[Barry Mishkind]

CNN has published on their website - and on their cable channel - several reports that cell phone providers have a critical spectrum shortage.

"(CNNMoney) -- The U.S. mobile phone industry is running out of the airwaves necessary to provide voice, text and Internet services to its customers. "

They say: If something isn't done, they report, cell phones will virtually stop working next year. Yet, they also say freeing up spectrum won't be enough. 

Which is odd, given the studies last fall that showed there was a surplus of spectrum ... Instead, the current catchphrase, used by the FCC Chairman at CES, is "spectrum crunch."  iPhones and iPads might stop working ... 

Overall, it sounds like someone either grabbed a "headline" that would make people afraid - and they will demand more spectrum auctions - or it is just poor research.

Maybe this line, toward the end, is the real objective: "The bad news is that none of the fixes are quick, and all are expensive. For the situation to improve, carriers -- and, therefore, their customers -- will have to pay more. "