The FCC's 700MHz auction: what you need to know

We'll admit, wireless spectrum auctions aren't the most exciting thing in the world -- but as wireless spectrum auctions go, the FCC's 700MHz auction kicking off today is a doozy. What's it all about and what does it mean to you? Head on over to Engadget Mobile to find out everything you need to know (and a few things you don't) about the FCC's multi-billion dollar spectacular!

[Eric YJ Chiu @ Jan 24th 2008 8:44AM]

I don't have the demand of watching streaming p0rn (HD) on the go so i think it doesnt mean anything 2 me.

[silverblackvoid @ Jan 24th 2008 9:09AM]

p0rn isn't everything dude. there are lots of stuff that require high bandwidth. but, of course i'll still be streaming p0rn!

[John Doe. @ Jan 24th 2008 8:58AM]

If ATT wins this I think I can say this without any exaggeration. It will be the most detrimental thing that has ever occurred to this society beyond the depression. The difference being the potential for what this could lead to vs. the obvious disaster that occurred during the depression. They CAN NOT be allowed to win this. The best case is Google winning but I think there is a snowballs chance in hell of that happening. I really wish Apple, Google, Microsoft and a few others had teamed up to buy this. The potential of a free open network on this spec is staggering.

[Todd @ Jan 24th 2008 9:02AM]

"auction 73" + Android = relief for us long suffering consumers.

Triva: Among the abbreviations used in telegraphy and telephony, and which are employed universally, we find the number 73 that has for meaning "best regards". For example, the radio hams, just as the user of citizen band radio (CB), often use it to finish a conversation.

http://www.vic.australis.com.au/hazz/number073.html

[Mike @ Jan 24th 2008 10:28AM]

IT'S OVER NINE THOUSAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MEAT! @ Jan 24th 2008 10:02AM]

They should just give it to a couple of recent graduate students in a garage somewhere, not pretend some giant conglomerate really knows what innovation is; all they care about is maintaining the status quo, and thus don't take risks. (Ooh, a thin laptop? So very risky. [Air.] An OS based on the code of the last five OSes? So risky. [Vista.] AT&T. [AT&T.] Verizon. [*chuckle*])

I want blanket, free Wifi with the throughput and bandwidth to support streaming, pocket-based HD and free VoIPv6 and VidoIPv6, implemented on a family of open-source handsets and laptops. I don't want media companies and useless middle men (record labels) dictating what I can and cannot hear; the artist should set the price, distribute it on the open network, allow the people whom choose to buy it to give 100% of the revenue to the artist. Access should be allowed everywhere, but encryption will be mandatory--make it so the government would need a small country to decrypt even a hundredth of its citizens' skynet traffic. Internet radio anywhere; internet video broadcasts anywhere; positioning via p2p landmark triangulation; and an optional virtual chat, message board, and shopping interface surrounding every person, building, and regional area. And most of all, don't make me wait fifty years for it. Give it to eager kids with something to prove and let them scale it up.

[Xaerran @ Jan 24th 2008 10:56AM]

+1

[Joe @ Jan 24th 2008 10:17AM]

I'd put my bid in, but I don't have enough money in my PayPal! :(

[Mike @ Jan 24th 2008 10:32AM]

I love that eBay image...

[Phantom1219 @ Jan 24th 2008 12:15PM]

In case someone really wants to track it.

http://wireless.fcc.gov/auctions/default.htm?job=auction_summary&id=73

[ethana2 @ Jan 24th 2008 1:37PM]

This is what we need. Internet this available will take 90% of the market-- the people who don't do anything serious with their connections; which will only leave one serious market for terrestrial broadband; extreme protocol neutrality, insane bandwidth, and nonexistent ping.

The low end is about to drop out of the market... As it should be. Our ISP's have peddled mediocrity for far too long.