spectrum
Networks
FCC Planning New Spectrum Auction With Free Broadband for All
6:30AM Gizmodo US Edition | It looks like the FCC is taking up Congresswoman Anna Eshoo’s dopey scheme to deliver internet to the masses with another spectrum auction that would require the winner to offer free broadband to half of the US within four years, and 95 percent sometime after that. A nearly impossible task, on top of being silly in the first place, so don’t expect anyone to volunteer to pay for the privilege. There’s no set date for this proposed auction of 25MHz in the 2155 to 2180MHz range, but the FCC is planning to meet on June 16 to discuss the rules of the fail sale. [RCR Wireless News] More »
Press
Free Wireless Internet For the Masses: Another Dumb Scheme From Washington
7:00AM Wilson Rothman | A California congresswoman has proposed yet another spectrum auction—the 2,155MHz to 2,180MHz range—with some hefty public-service requirements: • Within two years of receiving the licence, launch an “always-on” broadband with at least 200Kbps downloads • Service is to be free of subscription, airtime and other usage fees • “A technology protection measure” that would keep kids from the porn • Publication of specs and standards, royalty free, so that others can develop for the network Let me get this straight: You want some well-heeled for-profit corporation to pay potentially billions for the privilege of hastily launching a network that it can’t charge money for, and let competitors provide devices for it, again for no extra money? I don’t think so. I’m not pro-corporation, so much as I am pro-reality. More »
Networks
Rev Your Engines, FCC 700MHz Spectrum Auction Starts Today
1:29AM Matt Buchanan | Going once, going twice, sold to Verizon! Or something like that. The FCC’s 700MHz spectrum auction starts today, and you can watch all of the hot bidding action right here. It’s auction 73, and the page is so exciting I nearly peed my pants. Don’t know what the hell we’re talking about? No worries, scan our ultimate guide to the 700MHz auction and why you should care about it. [FCC] More »
Networks
All Systems Go: 700MHz Auction Rules and Bidders Stamped in Stone
3:49AM Gizmodo US Edition | I know I’m a geek because I’m almost as giddy for this as I am for MacWorld: The rules and bidders (214 of ‘em) for 700Mhz spectrum auction, which starts on Jan. 24, have been finalised. No surprises here—the heavies like AT&T, Verizon and Google have their shit in order and the C block fireworks look good to go. [Ars] More »
Networks
Google Wireless Spectrum Bid is On
2:16AM Mark Wilson | Google has confirmed what we’ve pretty much known for a long time, they will be bidding in the upcoming 700MHz wireless spectrum auction on January 24th. And also as suspected, Google will not be bringing in any partners for the bidding. From Eric Schmidt, Google Chairman and CEO: Consumers deserve more competition and innovation than they have in today’s wireless world. No matter which bidder ultimately prevails, the real winners of this auction are American consumers who likely will see more choices than ever before in how they access the Internet. Wow…I really wish Google would sound more evil. I don’t trust nice people at all. Hit the jump for the full press release. More »
Networks
Google Going It Alone in Wireless Spectrum Auction to Open Own Wireless Network
4:55AM Matt Buchanan | The Wall Street Journal details a lot of the “strong signals” Google’s going to bid in the upcoming 700MHz spectrum auction in order to launch a wireless network of its own. Aside from openly declaring “we are making all the necessary preparations to become an applicant to bid,” what’s really compelling is that back at its headquarters, Google is already operating an advanced high-speed wireless network under a test licence from the FCC, according to people familiar with the matter. The company has erected transmission towers on its campus for the network. Prototype mobile handsets powered by the Android software are currently running on it. More »
Networks
Microsoft Not Interested In 700 MHz
10:29PM Mark Wilson | Most of us have been expecting Microsoft to counter Google’s promise to bid on the illustrious 700 MHz spectrum this January with some cash of their own. But according to Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer, the company is opting to pass on the opportunity to capture a piece of the sweet, sweet radio spectrum. At CTIA he explained: What would it buy us to buy a piece of spectrum, one piece of spectrum in one country…It would do a lot to alienate the [entire] telecom industry. More »
Networks
Wire haters can rejoice knowing IBM has entered …
10:58PM Wilson Rothman | Wire haters can rejoice knowing IBM has entered the 60GHz wireless radio business, with partner MediaTek. They follow Georgia Tech and a whole bunch of TV makers into the space. IBM claims 2.5Gbps of bandwidth, plenty enough to shift 10GB of high-def movie in 5 seconds. [CNet] More »
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FCC Keeps Open Access Provisions for 700Mhz Auction, Delays It
9:30AM Matt Buchanan | Looks like Verizon’s alleged backdoor wheeling-and-dealing was for naught, as the FCC’s basically reaffirmed the open access provisions on the “C” chunk of the 700Mhz spectrum up for auction in what looks to be the actual final set of bidding rules. This should effectively end the ongoing back-and-forth venom-spitting between Verizon and Google, at least about the rules themselves. More »
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