Verizon files lawsuit over open-access rules in 700MHz auction
by Darren Murph 
posted Sep 13th 2007 at 5:33PM
Talk about gettin' riled up. Verizon Wireless has reportedly "challenged in federal appeals court the FCC's 700 MHz open-access rules," claiming that the auction "violates the US Constitution, violates the Administrative Procedures Act, and is arbitrary, capricious, unsupported by the substantial evidence and otherwise contrary to law." Once you're done swallowing that mouthful, it'll likely be difficult to resist rolling your eyes, as it's pretty clear whose interests are being looked after in the suit. Nevertheless, neither Verizon Wireless nor an FCC spokesman would comment further on the filing, but needless to say, at least one carrier isn't exactly kosher with that succulent 22MHz block of spectrum being so open.
Filed under: Misc
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
VZ Insider @ Sep 13th 2007 6:05PM
Ah...VZ hath layeth the smackdowneth! Kneel before VZ, FCC dogs!
Talk about wanting to position themselves in the market...
MarkyMark @ Sep 13th 2007 6:25PM
Verizon never can pass up a chance to demonstrate how malicious and truly evil they are...
Jerad @ Sep 13th 2007 6:38PM
Oh yeah thats right because wanting to try and make money is evil...
Mark @ Sep 13th 2007 7:09PM
You talk as if the desire to profit is next to Godliness. Guess what, dirty underhanded tactics like this are exactly the sort of behavior that typifies an evil corporation.
If they don't want to pay, then they shouldn't play. Instead of suing anyone and everyone involved and raising the costs of taxpayers like us who fund the FCC with our taxes.
Sunjay @ Sep 13th 2007 7:07PM
Heaven forbid Verizon faces more legitimate competition and is required to begin caring about customers and product offerings. Assholes.
Competition benefits consumers - it is too bad most corporations appear to not give a shit about this.
elgee02 @ Sep 13th 2007 7:15PM
How is this preventing competition in any way? This is actually reinforcing that competition DOES exist... you do not like VZW for this lawsuit, so you don't choose VZW as your carrier... BOOM competition right there, and VZW knows it.
Don't give me this BS how this restricts "competition", as if VZW wins this lawsuit they are going to magically do away with Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, Alltel, US Cellular, etc.
ShortFuse @ Sep 13th 2007 9:55PM
elgee02, your "Verizon can do no evil" stance has gotten so absurd you're spewing nonsense.
Verizon wants the spectrum limited to one single company. That said company would control what flows on the network. There would be no CHOICE. There would only be one company. That is the point of the open-access. Having more than one choice, means different companies would have to compete for customers. This means competition. If there was only one company Verizon could charge whatever it wanted for the service. But I think you knew this already and needed to put your Verizon defense regardless if it made sense or not.
elgee02 @ Sep 16th 2007 6:42PM
Come on shortfuse, someone with such condescending speak like yours should at least be correct.
VZW is challenging the requirements that whatever company wins the spectrum has to allow any DEVICE on the network. So if this is restricting competition it's doing so to manufactures who don't make phones for VZW. This is in no way restricting competition between CARRIERS, this is only in regards to DEVICES.
So once again, quit acting that if VZW wins this lawsuit that they are magically going to do away with Alltel, At&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, etc.
derX @ Sep 16th 2007 11:04PM
Shortfuse02 and Sunjay, you all have got it.
In short, VZW has challenged the FCC saying, "the FCC's 700 MHz open-access rules [i.e.: freedom] claiming that the auction violates the US Constitution..."
Oh, yes, the US Constitution is soo against freedom.
Oh, yes, VZW is totally in line with the fundamental beliefs of the Constitution. You know, it has been said that the clairvoyant Benjamin Franklin once said, "When man creates a mobile communications device, the company, should keep these devices bromide, plastered with logos of said company. The customers must remember who is in charge: not them....oh yeah, and they don't need too much bluetooth capabilities, either, the bare essentials are good."
whattaevaman @ Sep 13th 2007 11:33PM
i agree with short fuse, vzw just wants to control everything and overcharge for their data!!!!nuff said,
C@rL0$ @ Sep 14th 2007 12:47AM
Hey maybe Verizon just want's to shutdown the competition. Survival of the fitest. After all they are running a business and in business ethics your main goal is to make money regardless of the obsticles. Im sure other companies would do the same if the oppurtunity was there to surpass other companies.
durakote @ Sep 14th 2007 11:30AM
The opening up of the 700mhz spectrum would be the greatest thing that could happen to the Wireless industry (sorry iphone fan boys). It would allow ANY device to use that network, which means no more bowing before your wireless carrier and there proprietary phones. Wouldn't that be phenomonal??? Not to mention the opening might open doors for some new players to get involved, can you gPhone???
ZS @ Sep 18th 2007 12:43PM
So, who wants to join me in suing all of the wireless carriers for taking away my freedom to choose devices and creating an anti-competitive environment?
Is anyone else sick of the USA being governed "For big business by big business"?