[pjc50]

> amazing to me how reluctant everyone is to grant ISM bandwidth

> dedicated bandwidth for a paywalled GPS alternative.

I think you've answered your own question here; especially if I look at the huge prices paid in spectrum auctions in the UK and Europe some years ago. Spectrum is an asset, so there's strong pressure to turn it into property that can be charged for rather than let the public use it.

[stefan_]

If only people wouldn't then turn around and tell us how amazing spectrum auctions are, what a novel great application of economics. In practice it has all the hallmarks of a failed market; most bits travel over WiFi, money ends up in slush funds, coverage is hopeless, large parts of spectrum are allocated to governmental incumbents who want to keep running 50s tech.

[eru]

Well, auctions are a great mechanism, but you can still screw them up by adding lots and lots of requirements.

Spectrum auction don't just give everything to the highest bidder, alas. Instead it's a beauty contest judged by bureaucrats.