CTIA has petitioned the FCC to allocate additional spectrum to the wireless industry in an ex parte filing submitted today.

“We are proud that the mobile wireless industry is providing broadband access where you want it, when you want it, but we are facing a perfect storm where demand may outpace supply,” said CTIA President and CEO Steve Largent in a statement. 

CTIA’s filing asks the FCC to work with the federal government to immediately begin to identify and allocate up to an additional 800 MHz of spectrum over the next six years. The association has also requested that policymakers meet short-term spectrum needs by pairing and allocating readily-available spectrum.

“The U.S. is the most efficient users of commercial spectrum in the world. But as the Chairman has recognized, the industry needs access to more spectrum so we can continue to meet the growing consumer demand – whether it’s for personal reasons such as mHealth or for environmental reasons such as smart grids,” Largent said.