FCC approves rules for 700MHz frequency auction

The FCC has just approved rules on the highly-sought after, Google-attracting 700MHz wireless frequency band auction which will take place sometime next year. The agency has decided that one-third of the soon-to-be-empty band will be available to consumers under FCC chairman Kevin Martin's "open access" plan, which forces the winning bidder to keep the band accessible to any wireless device or application regardless of the maker, opening up options heretofore unseen on established networks. The 700MHz range -- which is being vacated by television broadcasters going digital -- is desirable because of its ability to travel long distances and easily penetrate walls, and Martin feels it could provide a "third pipe" to US homes, circumventing the established stranglehold cable and telephone companies have on bandwidth. A total of 60 megahertz will be auctioned off, with twenty-two of them "open," and another 10 set aside for a "national public safety" network. The auctioning off of the frequency is expected to raise as much as $15 billion for the federal treasury.

[Linkdead @ Jul 31st 2007 5:57PM]

Really if the FCC was so concerned with making this a "third pipe" they would of opened the spectrum to Part 15 rules. They just want the money and kickbacks the auction will generate.

1/3 of the spectrum is not too bad. I guess this guarantees some Telcom company won't buy the spectrum just sit on forever. Hopefully Google throws the cash down to win this and opens the whole thing.

[Jake Tobak @ Jul 31st 2007 6:42PM]

Actually, by making part of it open, they will be making less money. It discourages cell phone companies from placing bids.

[Todd @ Jul 31st 2007 6:12PM]

I look forward to a free, ad supported "Google phone"...err "computing device" of some sort that I can make calls, watch TV and listen to my MP3s with.

[Johan S @ Jul 31st 2007 6:17PM]

Come on .. 22 MHz for open access is pitiful. Is it being setup for failure?

[carbinefreak @ Aug 1st 2007 2:41AM]

22mhz is A LOT @ this frequency, look @ wifi its 14 channels, u can add a minimum of 14 channels in that frequency space and its LONG HAUL frq's so a middle between wifi and wimax

[wora @ Jul 31st 2007 6:41PM]

Anyone know what 700Mhz is used for in europe?


(google phone that works in europe too...?)

[Charbax @ Jul 31st 2007 9:21PM]

I do not know what is going on with 700mhz in the European countries which all seem to be going over to DVB-T digital terrestrial TV and closing down the analogic TV signals, for example Switzerland just closed the analogic signal last month. Denmark is doing it also. England and France are totally being covered by DVB-T. Hopefully an open 700mhz network in USA will influence the way the European spectrum will be used, hopefully to provide Mobile WiMAX.

[Joseph @ Jul 31st 2007 6:45PM]

Verizon and ATT could probably be a little bit happier considering how many millions they sunk into lobbying last year. I'm glad at least some progress was made. Now all we need is for Google to swoop in and grab that spectrum.

[junior @ Jul 31st 2007 8:09PM]

i dont think google really wants that spectrum. they just want to make sure that its open for any google-like software/hardware to run on it without issues

[Adrian Williams @ Jul 31st 2007 7:28PM]

Yes Google and double click ads all on my phone yes
Google isnt interested in buying anything folks they just want a easier way to stick ads allover your phone

[Andrew @ Aug 1st 2007 8:36PM]

And I'm fine with that. Because Google, unlike some other providers, actually provide a service worth putting up with ads for.

Dont like it? dont use it.

[mark @ Aug 1st 2007 10:56AM]

Well in the UK when (if??) the switchover ever happens there's a smidgin of bandwidth - though it'll probably be turned into 4 or 5 free to air HDTV channels. And at 700Mhz to 800ish there's a few bits and bobs-> see:http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/ra/topics/spectrum-strat/uk-fat/uk-fat2002.htm

[purezerg @ Aug 1st 2007 7:33AM]

FCC doesnt own the frequencies. how can FCC sell what they don't own?

[Galley @ Aug 1st 2007 8:41AM]

In the interest of national security, they govern the use of the spectrum.

[purezerg @ Aug 1st 2007 9:18AM]

then why japan FM is 76 to 90Mhz and their cellphone is 2100mhz? any frequency below 89FM- 40FM? is use by military radios. and 2100Mhz well no idea. FCC dont have the right to put up auctions for frequencie but rather charge a administration fee for informing them about who is using what.

[Rick K @ Aug 1st 2007 11:20AM]

I'm not sure what your point is in your second comment, but in regards to the first, the FCC absolutely has the right to govern the use of the wireless spectrum. This way you don't have hundreds of people/companies/agencies using various spectrums for whatever they want which would cause widespread interference of said spectrums. Look at what happens when you set up multiple wireless access points in the same vicinity, quality of signal degrades quickly.

The FCC uses the actions to ensure that whoever buys the spectrum doesn't encounter interference from random people spawing their own signals over that frequency. What incentive is there for the FCC to govern if it isn't getting money for the spectrum, and what incentive is there for companies to make technology for that spectrum if the FCC won't govern it?

That said, its great that they opened up part of the spectrum for open use, this takes care of the one big flaw I see with buying frequencies, that you can lock it down (cell phone providers) and force people into using whatever tech you want. Opening up part of the spectrum is a great choice.