Comments on: Verizon Sues, Google Expresses Dismay Over 700 MHz Auction

By: Google Attacks Verizon Over Secret FCC Lobbying

Google Attacks Verizon Over Secret FCC Lobbying — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 21:49:18 +0000

[...] denies that they have lobbied the FCC. However, they have sued the FCC, as we mentioned last month, in an effort to overturn the same open-access bans. Secret lobbying or [...]

By: 700 MHz Auction: Google Takes Another Shot At Verizon « GigaOM

700 MHz Auction: Google Takes Another Shot At Verizon « GigaOM — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 23:02:24 +0000

[...] (GOOG) squabble over the 700 MHz auction is getting nastier and nastier. A few weeks ago, Verizon went to the courts, seeking to block the Federal Communications Commission from adding open-access provisions to the [...]

By: John Kaufman

John Kaufman — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 14:39:45 +0000

The spectrum rights don't last forever, or it would never have been auctioned in the first place, since existing companies held the rights to 700MHz for decades prior to the Federal Deficit Reduction Act that put the analog TV band up for re-sale.

By: Jesse Kopelman

Jesse Kopelman — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:32:53 +0000

@krishnachodavarapu

As long as you meet the build-out criteria you get the spectrum for life. The government can try and take it away eventually, but they'd have to compensate you and you could sue and drag the whole thing out for a very long time. For perspective, AT&T and Verizon still have 800 MHz spectrum they bought over 20 years ago.

By: Pilgrim’s Picks for September 14

Pilgrim’s Picks for September 14 — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 13:52:21 +0000

[...] Verizon is not happy with the proposed requirements for the new 700MHz wireless auction, so it has filed a law suit. [...]

By: Tom Coseven

Tom Coseven — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:25:14 +0000

Under the current rules, Google will do what's best for Google, as long as they allow open devices and applications. Even though Google has talked a lot about a wholesale requirement, I would be very surprised If Google would voluntarily implement wholesale, because it is inefficient and Google cares about margins above all else. If you are making the argument that maximizing margins by limiting customer choice is evil, then Google is already evil (and Apple is the most evil of all technology companies).

By: Zac Garrett

Zac Garrett — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 07:47:51 +0000

Why is Verizon suing here? I mean, they stated they thought the signals will "leak" over to other bands. Last time I checked that was against the law and punishable by massive fines.

The company I want to win is any who will provide broadband internet with the spectrum. I want to see this powerful wall penetrating signal used to give us some damn good speeds. The sheer amount of bandwidth freed up by getting rid of the analog channels will give us wonderful speed.

You can get something like six HD channels in the same bandwdith as a single analog channel. Its been a few years since I've taken the wireless class in college, so the exact number escapes me. Still, multiple higher quality channels in the same spectrum as a single analog; just think of converting that to data.

As for those speculating that this spectrum will be used for telephony; I do not see that happening. This space is too valuable to put pure voice on it. If anything whomever purchases the spectrum real estate will use it for data and lay some voice on top. That is if they want telephony at all.

By: krishnachodavarapu

krishnachodavarapu — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 03:49:43 +0000

Does anyone know the length of term for the auctioned off spectrum? I assume the winning bidder does not have lifetime access to the spectrum. Can they only use it for a year before having to come back and win another auction?

By: Om Malik

Om Malik — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 03:44:53 +0000

If google wins the auction, what assurances are there that they wouldn't do no evil. they can or can not provide wholesale access, which is an issue for others.

By: Tom Coseven

Tom Coseven — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 01:40:37 +0000

Om, you are one confusing guy "...a non-starter from competitive perspective.” What with talk of Google, Apple and maybe an Intel/Sprint bid, this could be one of the most competitive auctions ever. Name another auction anywhere in the world with this level of interest from non-telecom companies.