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Wireless Carriers looking for Elbow Room
pillageplunder writes "Businessweek is reporting on the upcoming Wireless Spectrum Auctions. Over the next two years (Starting in Jan 2005) the FCC will auction off enough spectrum that will more than double the amount currently available. Estimates range anywhere from 50 to 70 billion dollars will be raised by these auctions. Short term, it should improve the quality of Cell-phone, long term, it should open up opportunities for so-called 3G services to take off."
Besides that, I have the creeping sensation that this will just be used to further proprietise the US cellular communication system, pushing interoperability even further away. Company X uses expanded protocol Z that uses band ranges Y and so on, making it harder for customers to switch providers.
I agree. Nevertheless, it doesn't surprise me that this is taking place. The government has had a pretty dismal record for quite some time now regarding stewardship of public resources, and I think this falls under that category. It seems everywhere you look these days there's a "get mine and get out" mentality. It's prevalent in both business and government. I don't know if the people who do this kind of thing don't realize what kind of long term damage they're doing to the country and the economy or if they just don't care. It's a shame either way.
-- Gargonia
Never play leapfrog with a unicorn.
It isn't the FCC's property to sell.
Well, I agree and disagree. The FCC being part of the Federal government is ideally a representation of the people. Politics aside, that's democracy for you. When the FCC gets money, it's basically money for our government, and indirectly, us. As for whether they lease or sell, or how exactly the money is used, that's an issue which you can protest through voting and lobbying.
Lets hope they do something like the UK where 3G bidders are obliged to cover 80% of the population by 2007.
That way citizens of the US get more out of the deal.. as a european living in the us i'm appalled at how frequently i loose reception.
http://www.cellular-news.com/3G/uk.shtml
...if they still charge too much for the content.
I'm talking $3 for a 125x125 background picture, only allow people to keep it for three months and that kind of crap.
I'm not paying $10 a month for slow internet service to same phone with 125 resolution either.
More brain dead drones walking around with their camera phones saying "Can you see me now?"
Sounds like a great way to burden the industry with debt so future investment is minimal.
What matters most here? revenue for the state or service for consumers?
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Toby