A year ago, the National Broadband Plan called for the release of 500 MHz of new spectrum to mobile network operators, and despite a lot of talk, nothing has been done to implement this recommendation in the interim. The proposed merger of AT&T and T-Mobile, motivated by the spectrum crunch, should serve as a reminder that mobile competition depends on the resolution of the spectrum issue. Not only are spectrum squatters hindering next-generation handsets and applications, they’re impairing market competition for mobile broadband.