Verizon Decides It Doesn't Like Open-Access Wireless Rules After All
from the damn-competition dept
Discussion of the upcoming auction for licenses for 700 MHz spectrum has been dominated by the desire of Google and other groups to have "open-access" rules put in place. These rules would force license winners to sell wholesale access to their networks, allow any compatible device to be used on them, and follow net neutrality principles. The FCC paid some lip service to the issue by attaching just two of the conditions (net neutrality and allowing the use of any compatible device) to just a portion of the spectrum, and adding that the conditions will be dropped and the auction for the relevant licenses restarted without them if a reserve price of $4.6 billion isn't met. This was a political show that made it look like the FCC was taking some action, but the likely overall impact on the market will be minimal. Perhaps what made it clear that the rules were toothless and wouldn't have much competitive impact was the fact that incumbent telcos AT&T and Verizon voiced some support for them. But it would appear Google execs' comments that the company will "probably" bid on the spectrum, even though the FCC didn't adopt all its proposed principles has spooked Verizon, as the telco is now suing the FCC, saying it overstepped its authority in putting the conditions on the licenses.When it looked like the open-access rules wouldn't have any effect, and that the auction for the licenses with them wouldn't attract enough buyers to hit that $4.6 billion reserve price, Verizon went the politically and PR-expedient route and voiced its support for them. Now that it looks like Google's going to be ready to pounce on the spectrum and pay the reserve price, Verizon contends the rules are illegal. Without the involvement of Google or another deep-pocketed bidder, Verizon could wait for the auction to restart without the rules, then pick up the spectrum free from the open-access rules. Since it looks like Google will bid up to the reserve price, Verizon faces the prospect of getting caught in a bidding war with the company, and should it win, it would have to operate any network in the spectrum with the open-access rules -- which it clearly doesn't want to do.
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Filed Under: fcc, open access, spectrum, wireless
Companies: at&t, fcc, google, verizon
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Open-Access Wireless
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Re: Open-Access Wireless
And I fully agree that open access would promote competition which would in turn promote innovation and progress. But since the corporate mentality is that a innovation costs too much they have decided to depend on locking down networks/content/access and government assistance to maintain their chokehold.
The major telcos are very similar to the RIAA/MPAA's constant whinning and attempts to have the law rewritten in their favor. And just like the RIAA/MPAA they are afraid of competition. In the ideal free market (the one that big business likes to cherry pick ideas from) Verizon would just put its technology where it's mouth is and outperform Google and anybody else that came along to challenge them. But since there are almost no true free markets in America these...
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This is why net netrality is so important
People should just boycott or reduce services with Verizon, while letting them know that it is because of their unAmerican activities that those services are being reduced or boycotted.
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700Mhz
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I think both issues bother them.
They want to control the devices because they can then control what things you do without additional fees, and then collect the additional fees for anything else, if they even want to allow it at all.
They don't want net neutrality because it means they can't charge extra tolls.
Verizon, and don't doubt for a minute the other incumbents as well, like to charge additional fees for services. On landlines, Verizon is responsible for everything outside the house, and that is where the majority of problems lie. But they'll happily charge you $4 a month to cover the inside wiring as well, knowing full well that the vast majority of the time you wouldn't need inside wiring to resolve an issue any way.
$4 a month times 1 million customers is $4 million a month.
It's good to be a telco!
Woadan
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the telco is now suing the FCC
I once considered leaving the UK for the USA (work opportunity) but now I am soo glad I didn't.
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Re: the telco is now suing the FCC
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Re: the telco is now suing the FCC
that sounds like defamation. i am going to sue.
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Re: the telco is now suing the FCC
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I have a VX6700 and use Verizon service for both voice and data. I can go anywhere on the net (except for some reason I can't post here anymore from my phone) and have installed instant messaging software that uses the data network so I don't have to pay for text messaging. The Bluetooth setting can be changed to allow access while browsing.
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Paul
It will be interesting to see Verizon get spanked by the FCC. I can only imagine the pressures they will have forced upon future relationships caused by poking the giant in the ribs.
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Don't be evil
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if it were AT&T suing, i would be scared
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bit off tangent
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Re: bit off tangent
Maybe there is a glimmer of hope for you all yet if one of the passengers has noticed and starts to raise the alarm. But will anyone listen?
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Re: Re: bit off tangent
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Google won't be evil
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