The White House has released a plan to reclaim 500 MHz of spectrum over the next 10 years, spectrum which will be used for mobile and wireless broadband innovation.

According to the White House memo, the spectrum will come from both government agencies and commercial broadcasters. B&C’s John Eggerton writes that the broadcasters will be asked to give up 120 MHz of spectrum, with Congress authorizing an incentive auction to provide cash for the spectrum being given up.

The White House has made broadband a focus of its communications platform. The idea is to spur innovation and investment in the field, with the United States currently lagging behind many other countries in regards to access, price and quality of the broadband and mobile products available.

Writes President Obama in the memo:

Few technological developments hold as much potential to enhance America’s economic competitiveness, create jobs, and improve
the quality of our lives as wireless high-speed access to the
Internet. Innovative new mobile technologies hold the promise
for a virtuous cycle — millions of consumers gain faster access
to more services at less cost, spurring innovation, and then a
new round of consumers benefit from new services. The wireless
revolution has already begun with millions of Americans taking
advantage of wireless access to the Internet.

The White House memo is embedded after the jump.

Obama Memo