That Didn't Take Long: Verizon Wireless Trying To Get Out Of Open Spectrum Requirements

from the not-hard-to-see-that-coming dept

We noted recently that Verizon Wireless' new PR campaign around its "open" network offerings seemed open in name only, and it appears that the same concept is being expanded to cover the recently won 700 MHz spectrum, which FCC rules require to be open. Google has filed a petition to deny Verizon the spectrum, noting that the company's public position on how it will "open" the spectrum isn't really open at all. Basically, it looks like Verizon Wireless is trying to reinterpret the rules in its favor. Google isn't really asking the FCC to deny the spectrum sale, but really just wants the FCC to actually enforce the rules that were put in place. Given the FCC's friendly attitude towards telcos bending the rules, don't be surprised if that doesn't happen. Even if the FCC somehow tells Verizon to follow the rules more closely, it seems likely that Verizon will still figure out some way to wiggle out of them again.
Hide this

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: 700 mhz, open spectrum, spectrum
Companies: google, verizon wireless


Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread


  • icon
    Jarannis (profile), 6 May 2008 @ 1:56am

    Wow, that was a surprise

    And what will happen next? The FCC going to let Comcast block Verizon's and Qwest's websites? They are stealing Comcast's business after all. That's got to be some sort of tangible theft.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    christopher, 6 May 2008 @ 6:52am

    this is why civil disobedience is still the only way left to us.

    they say "hacker", i say civil rights activist.

    they say "pirate", i say anti-corporate guerilla.

    they say "jailbreak", i say liberation.

    -C

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Eliot, 6 May 2008 @ 7:56am

      Re: this is why civil disobedience is still the only way left to us.

      Heh. "Liberation."

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      some other guy, 6 May 2008 @ 9:12am

      Re: this is why civil disobedience is still the only way left to us.

      These days, you'd find that 'they' might actually say "terrorist" :(

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    chris (profile), 6 May 2008 @ 8:01am

    ha ha, google is stupid

    you want the FCC to enforce rules against a telco?

    i'll bet kevin "brought to you by AT&T" martin is still rolling on the floor laughing at that one.

    get a clue google, the telecommunications industry does what it wants and then lies about doing it. asking the FCC to stop that is like asking the earth to stop rotating around the sun because 1) it's impossible and 2) the earth (FCC) has no say in matter to begin with.

    google's only hope is that they can do something with congress to tie things up until the presidential elections and pray for a democratic win. then the FCC will be owned and operated by the broadcasting industry instead of telecommunications industry.

    ain't america grand?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    John Doe, 6 May 2008 @ 8:07am

    Hahaha, you would think with Google's massive search engine, they could of googled FCC and teleco and found a pattern of teleco's questionable actions.

    Or they could have just bought that part of the spectrum. Come one 500$ a share google.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      SailorRipley, 6 May 2008 @ 10:03am

      Re:

      Hahaha, you would think with Google's massive search engine, they could of googled FCC and teleco and found a pattern of teleco's questionable actions.

      Dear John Doh (no typo), a lot of the rest of us think Google is aware of certain patterns and FCC favoritisms...
      and think Google is petitioning the FCC not because they think it will have any effect, but because they assume it will have little or no result so when they go somewhere else (say Congress), when (say) Representatives respond it's the FCC's job/responsibility, Google can prove the FCC is not doing its job and some kind of intervention/superseding action is warranted...

      Anyway, Techdirt (or any site for that matter) doesn't really need someone to state widely known facts (Google's massive search engine, remember?), nor does Techdirt really need another commenter jumping to ridiculous conclusions that have no base in reality/rationality...but thank you for playing anyway

      link to this | view in chronology ]


Follow Techdirt
Essential Reading
Techdirt Deals
Report this ad  |  Hide Techdirt ads
Techdirt Insider Discord

The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...

Loading...
Recent Stories

This site, like most other sites on the web, uses cookies. For more information, see our privacy policy. Got it
Close

Email This

This feature is only available to registered users. Register or sign in to use it.