In almost every discussion of the FCC specifically, or American spectrum policy in general, someone will assert that radio spectrum is a unique resource that belongs to the public. This will be said as if it were axiomatic—a starting point rather than the historical consequence of special interests pretending to misunderstand economics. More harm has been done to the public in the name of “the public interest” than could ever have been done by private interests in a free market. Yet the public tends to call for more intervention instead of less. The case of radio is typical.
I will attempt to review, from a Rothbardian perspective, the history, economics, and potential future of American wireless technology.
