The $10 Billion Poker Game Begins

Hugh Pickens writes "Monday was the deadline for potential bidders to file with the Federal Communications Commission over the auction of the 700-megahertz band, a useful swath of the electromagnetic spectrum that is being freed up by the move to digital television. Once bidders file they become subject to strict 'anticollusion' rules that in effect prohibit participants from discussing any aspect of their bidding until the auction is over. The next official word will be late December or mid-January, when the FCC announces who has been approved to bid. The auction will start on January 24. Participants will use an Internet system to enter bids on any of 1,099 separate licenses that are being offered (pdf). Most coveted seems to be the C block, 12 regional licenses that can be combined to create a national wireless network. This is the spectrum Google is presumed to be most interested in. The bidding will be conducted in a series of rounds (pdf)."

Comments

Re:FCC's basis for regulation?

[jo7hs2]

See Article I, Section 8, Clause 3. "The Congress shall have power . . . To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states,...with the Indian tribes, and whatever else it wants."

Re:I don't undertstand

[Paulrothrock]

You're exactly right! I also don't understand why we don't let timber companies cut down every tree in Yellowstone. Don't they own part of it, too? Shouldn't they be allowed to cut down trees they own?