I think the problem for something like this is that devices have chips hardcoded for this spectrum and have been shipped. And it is not like cellular, where the provider goes away and then all the phones/devices stop working. People can have 2.4ghz routers talking to 2.4ghz devices in their house, and they will work basically forever. Is this tragedy of the commons?
even so, I do agree with you. I think there should be a "for limited time" clause for spectrum, but like patents, not like copyright.
If I were the FCC, I would issue "transmission licenses" valid for 10 years, to anyone who wants one for the unlicensed bands. The license would be a signed digital file shipped on hardware. They would work like let's encrypt - when nearing expiry, your device could auto-renew its license via the internet. It could transmit its license via a wifi beacon packet, allowing other devices to use the license too (with the same expiry time).
Basically, if your device is offline for 10 years, and isn't in range of any other online device for 10 years, then it will stop working.
The license would list frequency bands and power levels. That allows the FCC to decide to limit power later, or reduce/widen frequency ranges, and devices already in the field will start to comply within 10 years.
A few bands intended for less smart devices (ie. doesn't have both transmit and receive, isn't digital, doesn't have a clock or storage, etc) wouldn't require such licenses.
From a security angle, I'm not sure that I want to connect every transmitter to the internet if it doesn't have a natural reason to be. It may make sense for a WiFi access point, but if something doesn't need internet connection to function, adding that attack surface comes with a cost.
I think the problem for something like this is that devices have chips hardcoded for this spectrum and have been shipped. And it is not like cellular, where the provider goes away and then all the phones/devices stop working. People can have 2.4ghz routers talking to 2.4ghz devices in their house, and they will work basically forever. Is this tragedy of the commons?
even so, I do agree with you. I think there should be a "for limited time" clause for spectrum, but like patents, not like copyright.