Those fancy wireless signals that give you sweet, sweet Facebook access on your mobile dont grow on trees, you know. They travel along wireless frequencies that are collected by the government and sold off to the highest bidder. And the next big wireless spectrum auction is getting ready to happen next year. More »
ACMA today announced that they’ve given Optus first dibs on some extra 2100MHz spectrum for 972 sites across regional Australia. That means better 3G service in the country… Who can argue with that? More »
Obama’s signing a presidential memorandum today putting part of the FCC’s National Broadband Plan into action – auctioning off another 500MHz of wireless spectrum to companies like AT&T and Verizon. Upshot: more for more Three and Four Gees. [NYT]
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]
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.
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]
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]
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 »
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.
