About us

The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) is a global, cross-industry, not for profit organization advocating for laws, regulations, and economic best practices that will lead to more efficient utilization of spectrum and foster innovation and affordable connectivity for all

Our goals

ABOUT US

We want to make spectrum abundant. One way to do this is through dynamic access that makes the best use of spectrum.

This will:

Connect people, particularly the next 4 billion under-served people throughout the world

Stimulate wireless innovation for next-generation broadband

Accelerate an inclusive digital economy

What do we do?

DSA is the only global organization focused on promoting spectrum sharing innovation to get the most out of wireless resources. Our team is made up of worldwide technology experts, making the DSA the shared spectrum go-to organization for regulators and policymakers all over the world.

We advocate for policies that promote unlicensed and dynamic access to spectrum to unleash economic growth and innovation. Additionally, we advocate for a variety of technologies that allow dynamic access to spectrum.

Our focus is ensuring that the regulatory framework to support that diversity of technologies is adopted.

The DSA has a strong presence in North America, but also in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

We are always welcoming new members to help us work towards our goals of providing dynamic spectrum access to all! If you are interested in becoming a member, please email info@dynamicspectrumalliance.org or sign up to be a member online!

Some examples of our advocacy actions include:

5.9 GHz and 6 GHz – We advocate for more unlicensed spectrum access in these bands for wireless devices and the new Wi-Fi Generation, Wi-Fi 6. WLAN/RLAN will carry offload from cellular 5G technologies (Total data offload to unlicensed going from 74% to 79% in 2022). Our last DSA related filings were submitted in the USA, Ethiopia, Peru, Argentina, Mexico and Australia. DSA also published the white paper “Automated Frequency Coordination: An Established Tool for Modern Spectrum Management”.

CBRS and Mid-Band shared spectrum – CBRS is the three-tier sharing framework in the U.S. The model enables the most efficient and intensive use of mid-band spectrum that’s critical for 5G. Mid-Band shared spectrum is prime spectrum for 5G operations, but is also crucial for rural broadband coverage and is an opportunity for spectrum access for vertical and public/private networks. Our last filings were submitted to spectrum authorities in the UK, the USA, Argentina and Australia. DSA also published the white paper “Enhancing connectivity through spectrum sharing”.

TV White Spaces – provides long range and area coverage. It boasts great obstacle penetration in difficult terrain areas in addition to building penetration. Our last filings were submitted to spectrum authorities in South Africa, Argentina, Ethiopia, Peru, Australia and the USA. mmWave – Unlicensed and shared use are ideal for mmWave spectrum because poor distance propagation and building penetration can enable massive frequency re-use. Our last filings were submitted in Australia and the USA.

Who?

Our members include top technology and telecom companies worldwide who conduct leading-edge trials and pilot projects that will form the basis of our future networks.

Our members represent:

  • 5 of the top 10 largest companies in the world; including Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft and Google.

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  • More than $3,131B in market capitalization

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  • 4 of the top 5 global Internet market capitalization leaders

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  • More than 50% of the top 30 Internet companies by market capitalizatio

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How?

  • Through advocacy and regulatory responses worldwide

  • Meetings with high-level decision makers and spectrum experts at international events

  • Active participation at regional group meetings (CITEL, CEPT, ATU, ASMG, APT) and the main ITU events like the WRC-19 and CPM-23.

  • Producing specialized material about Dynamic Spectrum Access and technologies.

  • Hosting the annual successful DSA Summit enabling a platform for collaboration, innovation and worldwide progress

  • Active promotion of new Frequency Bands for unlicensed access and spectrum sharing

  • Consistently advocating its spectrum goals through industry conversation and engagement with the media

  • Efficient collaboration and joint work with research and education institutions

FAQ

  • Who is the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance?

    The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) is a global, cross-industry, not-for-profit organization advocating for laws, regulations, and economic best practices that will lead to more efficient utilization of spectrum and affordable broadband for all.

  • What does the DSA do?

    The DSA advocates for policies that promote unlicensed and dynamic access to spectrum to unleash economic growth and innovation. DSA gathers the interests of its members, collates resources and leads international advocacy actions on dynamic spectrum access. DSA has a close relationship with spectrum authorities worldwide, attends regional meetings and engages with authorities to achieve flexible and innovative spectrum regulations on a national basis to increase innovation and affordable connectivity.

  • Who are the DSA’s members?

    Our membership spans multinationals, small-and medium-sized enterprises, as well as academic, research and other organizations from around the world. DSA members include top technology and telecom companies worldwide including 5 of the top 10 largest companies in the world. Members collaborate and work together to progress the technologies and techniques to improve dynamic spectrum access worldwide. A full list of Dynamic Spectrum Alliance members is available on the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance’s website at www.dynamicspectrumalliance.org/members.

  • Why is the work of the DSA important today?

    Consumer demand for wireless connectivity is surging and spectrum is a finite source. It is critical to intensively share underused spectrum bands. Today, developing technology is allowing for spectrum to be shared in dynamic and efficient ways to maximise connectivity potential of spectrum worldwide.

  • How is the DSA ensuring change and development within the industry?

    The DSA attends many events and workshops which contribute to spreading awareness of the importance of Dynamic Spectrum Sharing.Several of these are held specifically to provide a platform for collaboration between entities for the purpose of regulation revision. The DSA have, so far, worked with multiple unions to pitch legislation changes with great success. We have also founded our own annual Global Summit, leading by example to create a space for regulators and industry professionals alike to collaborate and discuss the current use of spectrum. You can read more about the upcoming Global Summit on our dedicated page here.

  • What technologies does the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance support?

    The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance advocates for a variety of different technologies that allow for dynamic access to spectrum. As technology develops to adapt to the needs of the market, we support and promote technologies that will help. Our focus is ensuring that the legislative and regulatory framework is there to support that diversity of technologies. Some examples of technologies using dynamic spectrum access are:

    TVWS Supports increasing shared spectrum use in TV whitespace that enables cost effective broadband deployment in unserved or underserved rural areas and IoT. License-exempt broadband services in TVWS are up and running, regulatory frameworks are in place, the technology is proven, standards exist, radios have been certified, and commercial deployments are underway.

    CBRS Supports CBRS because it is a spectrum-sharing success story. The three-tier sharing model in the U.S. enables the most efficient and intensive use of mid-band spectrum that’s critical for 5G. Using database and location identification technologies protects incumbent services, and Licensed access and general access provide opportunities for large and small entities to promote greater deployment.

    C-Band (3.7- 4.2 GHz) The DSA has long advocated for policies that lead to the efficient and fair use of the band and supports the proposal for a public auction in the U.S. DSA has made a point-to-multipoint sharing proposal, which can provide tens of millions of underserved rural Americans broadband services in a short timeframe.

    5.9 GHz and 6 GHz The 6 GHz band presents a golden opportunity for more efficient spectrum use and it is very important to maintain the technology neutrality. DSA supports unlicensed access to the band in order to meet the demand for Wi-Fi and unlicensed wireless devices that require larger channel bandwidths and will be crucial for the 5G ecosystem.

    mmWave The propagation characteristics of mmWave bands make dynamic sharing ideal and critical to enable efficient use of spectrum. DSA supports unlicensed use of the 57 - 71 GHz band, including Wi-Gig and point to multipoint mesh network services. Additionally, DSA supports flexible licensing rules like those adopted by the FCC in the 37 GHz band.

  • Where is the DSA headquartered?

    The DSA works globally and is designed to be a flexible and effective partner for regulators around the world. The DSA headquarters are located at the following address:
    Dynamic Spectrum Alliance
    1101 Wilson Boulevard, 6th floor
    Arlington, Virginia
    22209
    United States of America

  • Are new members welcome?

    Yes! We are open to any new members that share our vision and would like to partner with us. Email us for more information at info@dynamicspectrumalliance.org