The Government Accountability Office found a mixed reception...

two of four goals commonly cited in FCC documents and statute -- encouraging [spectrum] licensees to provide services in a timely manner and preventing the warehousing of spectrum,” GAO said. “Stakeholders had mixed views on the effectiveness of buildout requirements in meeting two other goals -- promoting innovative services and promoting services to rural areas -- largely because they believed that other tools could better address these goals.” Stakeholders had mentioned tools such as including “greater use of spectrum licenses that allow a wider array of uses and providing licensees with subsidies to serve rural areas.” The report found that licensees and industry back the requirements. GAO said it consulted with the FCC in putting together the report. GAO did not make recommendations. GAO found that “infrequent” FCC delays in processing filings occasionally caused trouble for licensees and cited 19 filings, needing either agency approval or dismissal, that were filed four or more years ago. Some stakeholders suggested there be more clarity in buildout requirements, with some telling GAO there should be “greater detail about what could constitute substantial service or about the engineering parameters licensees should use in their required notifications.”