Good news, smartphone fans. It turns out there may not be a looming spectrum crisis after all. That's according to Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg, who suggested to the Council on Foreign Relations on Tuesday that it's time to relax about this matter.

"If video takes off, could we have a spectrum shortage in five or seven years?" Seidenberg asked out loud. "Could be, but I think that technology will tend to solve these issues. And I think, as I said, I happen to think that we'll advance fast enough that some of the broadcasters will probably think, let me cash out and let me go do something different.

"So I think the market will settle it. So I don't think we'll have a spectrum shortage the way this document suggests we will."

The "document" in question is the FCC's National Broadband Plan, and if you're experiencing Seidenberg's comments as somewhat Orwellian, you're not the only one.

"The recent statements by Verizon's CEO are rather baffling," declared Federal Communications Commission Chief of Staff Edward Lazarus on his blog. "The fact is, Verizon played a major role in building an overwhelming record in support of more mobile broadband spectrum, consistently expressing its official view that the country faces a looming spectrum crisis that could undermine the country's global competitiveness."

For instance, there was this statement Verizon endorsed, signed by almost 100 companies and sent to the FCC on December 2:

Our nation's ability to lead the world in innovation and technology is threatened by the lack of sufficient spectrum for wireless broadband applications and services. As the chairman has said, there is a looming spectrum crisis. We applaud your candid acknowledgement of this fact and appreciate your efforts to close the spectrum gap. Without more spectrum, America 's global leadership in innovation and technology is threatened. The undersigned urge you to allocate more spectrum for wireless broadband as soon as possible. Please let us know how we can help.

At this point, Verizon could probably "help" by not suddenly acting like it didn't say any of this stuff. If "video takes off"? We're also wondering how the TV broadcasters will "cash out" and let the wireless companies buy their spectrum if there isn't an orderly plan to make sure that can happen smoothly. CTIA - The Wireless Association, of which Verizon is a member, has proposed one, and it suggests that the matter is a little more complicated than just letting the market settle things.

So did Verizon back in July of 2009: "The Commission has identified only 50MHz of additional spectrum for next generation wireless growth," the company wrote. "This total lags behind both the United States ' competitor nations as well as the ever-increasing demand for mobile broadband services. Verizon Wireless therefore urges the Commission to undertake a targeted examination of spectrum to identify additional bands."

That, of course, was then. This, apparently, is now.