FCC fast-tracking 700MHz open-access rule changes under intense Verizon lobbying?
by Thomas Ricker 
posted Sep 27th 2007 at 2:09AM
Prepare to feel your carrier-hate well from within. Remember Verizon Wireless' lawsuit against the FCC claiming that the 700MHZ open-access auction rule -- the rule enabling the likes of Google, Apple, and others to take home a slice of the spectrum pie -- "violates the US Constitution?" Well, according to "industry sources," FCC chairman Kevin Martin is "aggressively pushing" for revisions to the 700MHz open-access rule in response to Verizon Wireless' lobbying efforts. However, having been met with an internal FCC "backlash" last week, Martin is said to be preparing a "declaratory ruling" in an effort to fast-track support for VZW's claim outside of the normal public-comment process. Insiders worry that Martin is caving to VZW pressure as the auction expected to generate some $15 billion in FCC fun-money draws near. Man, nothing says free market capitalism like a little protectionist bullying -- "can we sue you now." [Via Phonescoop]
Filed under: Verizon Wireless, Misc
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ShortFuse @ Sep 27th 2007 2:23AM
I was reading this a few hours ago. Google is only bidding because of the open-access. If they disappears...so might Google's bid.
Doug Tondro @ Sep 27th 2007 6:29AM
Verizon is really starting to piss me off these days! I am seriously about to jump ship just because of their shady business deals, including the whole announcing phones and then taking a year to release them!!! What kind of business model is that? I know, one that's only for the business, damn the customer.
But then again, which Major US phone service ISN'T lawsuit happy? Is there one? Is AT&T any better/friendlier to future development and customers? Does anyone know if there is a "good" carrier anymore? Do I have to move to Europe for a taste of cell phone freedom? I never thought I would say it... America Blows Chunks!
ShortFuse @ Sep 27th 2007 10:11AM
It really disappoints me. After hearing AT&T wasn't going to battle open-access I thought it was good news. Even though they have the money to do what Verizon is doing now, they didn't. AT&T seems to be working on better public relations after the NSA mess and I can completely understand. Verizon has always been like this, so it's not really surprising just that sometimes, they go too far. It's pretty much bribing the FCC.
There goes our hopes for the 700mhz spectrum. Even if Google or AT&T bids for the other spectrum, it'll be closed access.
And btw, VZW is usually the fastest to get a phone to launch after FCC approves of it, customized UI and all. It's just a rare case with the vx8600. The same thing happened to AT&T with the v3i.
elgee02 @ Sep 27th 2007 12:58PM
AT&T are no saints either.
http://www.moconews.net/entry/419-att-frontline-petition-fcc-to-change-700-mhz-auction-rules/
LJKelley @ Sep 27th 2007 9:38AM
Verizon needs to be split up or something. This is very unethical behaviour from a company.
med1320 @ Sep 27th 2007 9:58AM
I'm so glad I left Verizon, I really dislike them. Switching to T-Mobile has made me a very happy camper. You Rock T-Mobile!!!!!
chicooo23 @ Sep 27th 2007 10:18AM
Don't turn this into a political thing please. Just talk wireless, And if America Blows as much as you believe Than please get the Hell out of this Country.
Jamar @ Sep 28th 2007 12:17AM
Yah... you try changing citizenship on a whim sometime.
Doug Tondro @ Sep 28th 2007 2:22AM
ahhhh... to be so naive...
I didn't mean literally that "America Blows"... It was meant in the context of my comment that it is way too easy for people to file lawsuits these days and that corporations seem to wield all the power except once every 4 years when we all get a chance to make a change.
If you keep up with things like I imagine you do, then you would notice how the EU seems to be making things less restrictive while the US Corps. and the FCC seem to be making things more restrictive. Where did America go wrong in this equation?
That's all...
beanspants @ Sep 27th 2007 10:24AM
how is this unethical? so google won't bid if they can't have access, even if they don't win? So what?? screw them. if they want the spectrum, then they should have to pay.
if the gov't wants open access to the spectrum, then just offer open access. don't even have an auction.
it's like if you build a home with a pool, and have to let everyone in the neighborhood use it too, for free.
newgalactic @ Sep 27th 2007 10:36AM
Bribes to government officials is generally looked down upon and considered unethical.
beanspants @ Sep 27th 2007 11:30AM
are you in elementary school? lobbying is not bribing. lawsuits are not bribing.
bernardino @ Oct 1st 2007 3:43AM
Perhaps I misunderstood, but I thought that open-access did not mean that access was FREE, but rather that you would be able to use any device and any legal application with the network. Why is that significant if it's not free? Say Verizon gets the network, you are a Verizon customer and they start pumping faster broadband to you. Under the open-access rule, they would have to allow you to use any device you like, something that would go against Verizon's device-crippling business model. Once you have your device of choice running on the network (which probably wouldn't be an easy task even with the open-access requirement), you could then load your VoIP software of choice and make calls without using a single one of your precious minutes. Even if the VoIP costs money, you could use your allocated minutes and then once you run out, switch to VoIP. VoIP prices would be dirt cheap compared to the per-minute overage prices wireless telcos charge.
Open-access is great for consumers because it creates even more choice (think the opposite of Verizon's abysmal device offerings). It is also great for businesses like Skype and Google who would be allowed to make money off of Verizon customers via their software and advertising. It is of course not that great for businesses like Verizon, who depend on having a monopoly-like control over a publicly owned piece of real estate.
The way I see it, the airwaves belong to the public and should serve the public interest first, private organizations second. Whoever picks up that spectrum will still be able to make money off of the public, just not as much.
Someone correct me if I am wrong about the "open-access does not mean usage will be free" comment.
newgalactic @ Sep 27th 2007 10:34AM
I have Verizon for my land line, DSL, and wireless. I'm planning on dropping them because of this and other activities. The only way a company like Verizon will listen is to hit them in their pocket book. If you don't like the way Verizon or AT&T behaves, leave them. It's the only way they will take notice of your complaints. Vote with your dollars, and go with the more ethical carrier, even if they don't have the best coverage. We need to support the company's/technologies we want to succeed.
Big Sam @ Sep 27th 2007 11:29AM
Verizon sucks... unless they decide to bring FIOS to my neighborhood...
nyt @ Sep 27th 2007 1:26PM
There is a very, very easy way to make your voices heard and I would encourage you all to do so. I have.
Email Chairman Martin directly, tell him to STAND UP to Verizon's pressure and ensure open access as promised. That the US mobile industry trails the developed world and it's time for that to change, to do the right thing for consumers.
You can easily email him at this link:
http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/martin/mail.html
For good measure, write the other 4 commissioners at:
http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/copps/mail.html
http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/adelstein/mail.html
http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/tate/mail.html
http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/mcdowell/mail.html
You can write the Chairman of the Committee that oversees the FCC here:
http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=com_email_form&Itemid=124
Finally, if you want, write your Senator too:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
At least email the FCC, will take seconds. Otherwise, you can't complain. Verizon is making their voice heard.
Doug Tondro @ Sep 28th 2007 3:10AM
Thank you...
I wish that I knew before how easy it was to just drop a line to a senator. I had always heard the phrase, "If you have a problem with the government you should write a letter" and it just seemed like a waste of a good tree. There had to be a better, electronic way. Who would have thunk they would have an online form with only 3 fields to fill in!
I just took the time to email each and every person on those links you sent. I wrote one letter and changed the greeting for each individual. The whole process only took 10 minutes.
Thank you for letting me feel like I have a voice again!
fonedoc1 @ Oct 4th 2007 9:10PM
For all you who think Google is so great:
Google consistently has ignored patriotic American holidays such as Memorial Day and Veteran's Day, but today it acknowledged an accomplishment of the communist Soviet Union, which launched the Sputnik space satellite 50 years ago.
The Internet giant, known for its widely used search engine, regularly modifies its logo to commemorate holidays, historical events and figures.
For the ninth year in a row, Google declined to mark Memorial Day something the company has done for the Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, Halloween and other observances.