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Spectrum Fees May Preclude US Low-Cost Cellular

Posted by kdawson on from the no-free-lunch-or-breakfast-or-even-tea dept.

theodp writes "Not to apologize for an industry that charges $27,000 to catch a Chicago Bears game, but will the huge spectrum fees charged by the government block the emergence of low-cost cellular service? In the most recent FCC spectrum auction, carriers paid nearly $20 billion to grab a swath of the 700MHz spectrum. And now under President Obama's proposed budget, wireless carriers would be hit with huge annual fees — eventually reaching $550 million per carrier per year — for the right to hold a spectrum license. Critics say the carriers will simply pass these fees through to consumers."

2 of 246 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Simply pass the fees? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    But Obamaman's not going to increase taxes on you. Except for new energy taxes ... and FCC fees ... you get my drift. We're not fucked. Our children are fucked.

  2. You voted for the nigger . . . by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Now live with your mistake you filthy whiggers.

    Bonus: Obama's Heritage.