FCC approves "open access" rule for airwave auction

[Maddy McCall]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON — The FCC approved rules today intended to give people more choice on their cell phones and wireless devices after a pivotal airwaves auction next year.

The vote clears the way for the auction, which is expected to raise as much as $15 billion.

The Federal Communications Commission approved a much-debated “open access” provision, pushed by Chairman Kevin Martin, a Republican, and supported by the agency’s two Democrats, that will allow customers to use whatever phone and software they want on about one-third of the spectrum to be auctioned.

A more ambitious provision that would have required a licensee to sell access to its network on a wholesale basis was not included in the rules. That makes it unlikely that Google Inc. will bid. Google had been expected to challenge traditional wireless companies if the rules had been favorable.




Read more: http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070731/NEWS/70731031

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. I don't think so.

I would say that the above story was written by someone interested in blowing maximum smoke up the cloacal vents of others.

Here's a more sobering look:

http://www.broadbandreports.com/shownews/FCC-Auction-Rules-As-Expected-86249

Kevin Martin: industry Shill.