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Senate Discusses Third Pipe Using 700MHz Spectrum

Posted by Zonk on from the stevens-confused-between-pipes-and-tubes dept.

Freebird writes "The US Senate Commerce Committee held hearings on the upcoming 700MHz spectrum auction today, and much of the discussion centered around Frontline Wireless' proposal to create a commercial wireless broadband network that would also be used for public safety. 'Under Frontline's proposal, the FCC would auction off 10 MHz from the commercially available spectrum and offer that to the highest bidder. The winner would also be given (free) 12 MHz out of the 24 MHz currently allotted to public safety.' Some senators were skeptical, especially Ted Stevens of Alaska who had a 'long and testy interchange' with Frontline CEO James Barksdale. 'He seemed to be zeroing on criticisms that the Frontline proposal was simply a way for a new company to get a huge discount on a prime chunk of spectrum by playing the "public safety" card.'"

7 of 78 comments (clear)

  1. Fitting... by setirw · · Score: 3, Funny

    Some senators were skeptical, especially Ted Stevens of Alaska

    Creating a new pipe would nullify his "clogged tubes" argument against net neutrality!

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    This message printed on 100% post-consumer recycled electrons.
    1. Re:Fitting... by Savage-Rabbit · · Score: 2, Funny

      Some senators were skeptical, especially Ted Stevens of Alaska Creating a new pipe would nullify his "clogged tubes" argument against net neutrality! So? Put some weed in his pipe and light it, he'll soon change his mind.
      --
      Only to idiots, are orders laws.
      -- Henning von Tresckow
  2. Ted Stevens by deblau · · Score: 3, Funny

    Shhh don't tell him about the invisible tubes in the sky...

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    This post expresses my opinion, not that of my employer. And yes, IAAL.
  3. Stevens was peeved at Frontline's reluctance... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    ...to install their first WAP on an uninhabited Alaskan island.

  4. And Dogs Everywhere Rejoiced by BlueMikey · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wireless flea and tick control? Sweet.

  5. Sounds like a dispute over turf. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    He seemed to be zeroing on criticisms that the Frontline proposal was simply a way for a new company to get a huge discount on a prime chunk of spectrum by playing the "public safety" card.

    "Playin' the public safety card is our baby", Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska)was later heard to exhort.

  6. Re:We should really all stop ragging on Ted Steven by Surt · · Score: 2, Funny

    The most ironic part is that for all everyone makes fun of him, the internet is, in fact, mostly made up of a series of tubes.

    --
    "Who is the Journal of Quantum Physics going to believe?" --Stephen Hawking