Comr. McDowell said Thurs. he has made no decision on a Skype petition asking that Carterfone rules apply to wireless. McDowell, addressing the Content Abundance in a Multiple World conference at Catholic U., said today’s timetable gives small and rural carriers time to prepare for the 700 MHz auction. He urged that the FCC “create incentives” for the private sector to cut the cost of effective safety communications.
FCC designated entity (DE)rules guarantee minority investors will avoid spectrum auctions, said Mosaic Partners, a new minority investors group. A filing by the group, which last week began meeting with agency officials, came as the FCC contemplates rules for the 700 MHZ auction, which could begin as early as summer.
The FCC could start the 700 MHz auction as early as Aug., Chmn. Martin said Wed. That’s earlier than most potential bidders expected. Verizon and other major wireless carriers want an early start. Small carriers generally want one as late as possible. DTV legislation approved by Congress last year requires that the auction start by Jan. 28, 2008.
House Commerce Committee Chief Counsel Howard Waltzman resigned to become a partner with Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw, departing Chmn. Barton (R-Tex.) announced Wed. Waltzman, an architect of the House telecom bill (HR-5252), worked for the committee for 5 years. He helped write several communications laws dealing with spectrum auctions and the digital transition and worked on oversight of the FCC and NTIA.
The ITU radiocommunication arm got short shrift at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, which focused more than previous conferences on “non-radiocommunication issues,” like bridging the digital divide, top U.S. officials said Tues. Reflecting on the ITU meeting at a Society of Satellite Professionals International lunch, ITU Radio Regulations board member James Carroll told satellite officials to “keep an eye on” changes at the ITU -- especially given the regulatory body’s budget challenges.
E. LANSING, Mich. -- The once-sharp distinctions between telecom and media are blurring as digital telecom devices and services develop into a delivery vehicle for radio, movies, TV channels and games, FCC Comr. Tate told a Michigan State U. audience Tues. She said every day sees some new development in wireless and Internet video, in technology or market concepts, that blurs the line a bit more.
Rules the FCC is developing for the 700 MHz band auction will require the Commission to decide whether to impose tough “use it or lose it” requirements, and whether to offer some spectrum in chunks small carriers can afford to buy and use. Both questions were fiercely debated in reply comments to the FCC, pitting groups of rural carriers against their large, national competitors. The auction, expected in late 2007, will offer some of the most eagerly awaited spectrum in FCC history.
The 30 companies and associations that filed comments on FCC rules for the upcoming 700 MHz auction speak to the massive interest in the 60 MHz of spectrum to be auctioned before early 2008, sources said Tues. “From a business standpoint, if AWS is beachfront spectrum, this is the Riviera of beachfront,” said an industry official: “The fact that you did see all these commenters is indicative of how interested people are.”
The Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy joined designated entities (DEs) in questioning the need for the major rule changes for DEs that the FCC approved before the recent AWS auction. In a filing on a further notice of proposed rulemaking on future auction rules, the Office suggested the FCC had already gone too far.
The Wireless Bureau seeks comment on rules for a coming auction of 64 licenses in the 1392-1395 MHz and 1432-1435 MHz bands, set for 2007. Auction No. 69 is comparatively small, offering licenses useful in fixed or mobile services such as wireless Internet and advanced 2-way mobile and paging. One source said the spectrum is essentially “scraps.” The FCC, as in the AWS auction, sought comment on whether to follow the traditional simultaneous multiple-round (SMR) format. The FCC again is eyeing blind bids, with winners unknown the auction ends. “In particular, commenters should specifically address whether technological considerations or the likely level of competition in this auction weighs in favor of or against limiting the disclosure of information on bidder interests and identities relative to most past Commission spectrum auctions,” the bureau said. Comments due Sept. 11, replies 7 days later.