Posted on 01/30/2008 9:06:30 AM PST by ideablitz
Computerworld — After the third day of the auction, bidding reached a total of $6.1 billion for 1,099 licenses in the Federal Communications Commission auction of 700-MHz wireless spectrum.
The auctions are used when there are multiple, mutually exclusive applications for use of the frequencies. They are used to help select the best use for those frequencies.
http://wireless.fcc.gov/auctions/default.htm?job=about_auctions
They don't just auction off all frequencies. They allocate a wide range of frequencies for a wide range of purposes, including military. Even when the frequencies are auctioned off, the bidders have to agree to use those frequencies under a wide range of restrictions, they can't just choose to use them however they want.
In fact I know of military applications for which are having buy new equipment, because they can no longer use the spectrum the older equipment can operate in. It's geographic problem, as in some places they can use the frequencies, they just can't use them in other places they need to do so.
The FCC only regulates the use of the spectrum in the United States. Other countries often regulate the use of the spectrum in the same way for the sake of compatibility, but we really can't dictate that other countries will work with us to make sure our military equipment doesn't get interfered with in other countries.
Therefore our military has been switching to more flexible software controlled radios.
>I hear Google is buying those frequencies. What are they >planning to use them for???
Gtalk
Low cost cell phones that incorporate the new media into a
portable device. Iphone did this with the help of AT&T and is somewhat open to browsing but it doesn’t thke it to the next step.
Google makes money by selling search/link data. If they provide the appliance at a low cost, then they can control the content. Searching for a Flight, Hotel, Meal, Movie?
Findit, Book it and pay for it with the Gtalk in your pocket.
Thanks for the info. I barely use a cellphone now, so I cant get too excited about the Gtalk thingy....
“If permanent and they can sell them, then they are selling the airways, and that’s not regulating, it’s selling.”
You’re making an awful lot of assumptions without having (a) read the applicable provisions of the Constitution, (b) read the federal rules and regulations pertaining to this process and (c) read the applications for the license that each bidder will have to complete. I suggest you do this before issuing pronouncements of what is “selling” and what is “regulating.”
As a transactional attorney whose job it is to research and draft complicated documents, I’m uneasy with those who arrive at conclusions such as yours without having done the requisite research. You’re not going to get a complete, accurate answer that is dispositive of the issue on a message board/forum website.
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