Senate Appropriations Committee ranking Republican Stevens (Alask...
Senate Appropriations Committee ranking Republican Stevens (Alaska) is pressing other members to support legislation he intends to introduce that “would compel the FCC” to hold long-delayed spectrum auction, spokeswoman said. CTIA Senior Vp Steve Berry said that without date…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
certain for broadcasters to surrender 700 MHz spectrum as part of digital DTV transition, forced FCC auction would enable limited number of wireless carriers to buy and then warehouse spectrum that they could sell later at higher price. Berry said he understood that Stevens was looking out for interests of Alaskan business constituents, but said forced auction would be poorly timed in light of current Bush Administration efforts to develop long-term spectrum plan: “Stevens has been a strong defender of a competitive wireless industry, but in this instance we happen to disagree.” Stevens’ development of auction plan follows introduction of bill by House Commerce Committee leaders that would delay June 19 auction of upper and lower bands of 700 MHz indefinitely (CD April 25 p1). FCC Chmn. Powell recently said further delay would violate congressional order and could lead to lawsuits against agency. (CD April 18 p1).