Spectrum policy and wireless innovation

It is often said these days that "technology moves at Internet speed." One thing that differentiates wireless technology, which is the subject of this publication, from most other technologies in the field of interest of the IEEE global community is that it is regulated much more than other electrotechnologies. For example, if one makes a breakthrough in semiconductor device technology or computer display technology, one can develop the breakthrough in secrecy until it is time to market the technology. Such technologies need no a priori government approvals, except perhaps for routine approvals related to safety issues or unintentional RF emissions.