The FCC must stand firm on...
The FCC must stand firm on spectrum aggregation rules for the TV incentive auction, Carri Bennet, general counsel to the Rural Wireless Association, said in an email. On Wednesday, AT&T hinted it might not bid in the auction if the…
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FCC imposes rules as proposed by agency staff (CD April 17 p1). “The FCC has a big task in front of it to ensure that the auction is a success,” Bennet said. “RWA believes that everyone will be unhappy about some aspects of the order. The important thing is to ensure that as many companies as possible are able to participate so that there is the potential for more competition in this spectrum band. By stamping its feet and threatening not to participate because it isn’t getting its way, [it] highlights AT&T as the 800-pound gorilla bent on perpetuating a mobile wireless duopoly. RWA trusts that the FCC will stand its ground.” NTCA made a similar comment. “It is unfortunate to see AT&T resort to a thinly veiled threat of not participating in the upcoming 600 MHz incentive auction to seek out policies favorable to its business plan,” NTCA said in a news release. “It’s important, however, that the Commission balance various competing concerns for the licensing of a limited public resource -- especially one that has as much value as this low-band spectrum that AT&T and many others clearly desire."