openaccess
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FCC head chastises Verizon for throttling unlimited data plans
Not happy that Verizon is going to throttle unlimited LTE data plans? You're not alone. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has just sent a letter to Verizon Wireless CEO Dan Mead criticizing the carrier for the new policy. He's "deeply troubled" by the move, and suggests that the arbitrary slowdowns may be violating the open access rules that Verizon said it would obey back in 2008. The FCC defines "reasonable network management" in terms of technology-related issues (like congestion and security) rather than service plans, Wheeler says. To him, Big Red is abusing a "loophole" in order to boot customers off of unlimited data and wring out more profit -- Mead may have to do a good job defending the decision if he wants to avoid a regulatory fight.
Scientists estimate at least one third of marine species remain unknown to humans
It's been said that we know more about space than we do about our own ocean, and now a group of scientists have quantified what sea creatures we may still not know of. After compiling an open access, online database of known marine species with the help of more than 270 experts, researchers estimate that the briny depths may be home to a total of one million species, with one third of them potentially remaining entirely unknown. Of the grand total, humans have described roughly 226,000 -- more than 20,00 of which in the past decade -- with another 65,000 tucked away in collections awaiting a write-up. Since previous estimates have been based on rates of species identification and other factors, these latest figures are considered more accurate. The effort's researchers hope that this data will be used as a reference for extinction rates and conservation. Hit the first source link below to dig through the compendium, aptly-named the World Register of Marine Species, for yourself. [Image credit: NOAA's National Ocean Service, Flickr]
Harvard tired of overpaying for research, tells faculty to open up
The grand dame of Ivy League schools is taking action against one of higher learning's pet peeves: the exorbitant price of research journals. Even though the e-reader revolution may have already touched other schoolbooks, so far academic subscription prices -- with some journals as high as $40,000 -- are becoming unsustainable, according to Harvard. To that end, it's taking the lead and pushing its own faculty toward open access publishing, and encouraging them to quit boards of journals that aren't. That could in turn prod other schools to take the same steps, and allow Harvard to focus on more, ahem, interesting pursuits.
Verizon plans to support Google Voice, will launch two 'game-changing' Android devices in coming weeks
We're currently on a press call with Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam and Google CEO Eric Schmidt to discuss their new partnership, and while it's mostly a love-fest between the two with no real announcements, there's been some interesting tidbits. First off, Verizon will be launching two Android products in the coming weeks -- we'd say at least one of them will be the Motorola Sholes, and while the other is still a mystery, Google says it'll be "game-changing." Very intriguing. Second, and perhaps much more interestingly, Verizon's making a big push to be seen as the "open" carrier, and flatly stated that they'll be supporting Google Voice on their network: "Either you have an open device or you don't." That's a big change for Big Red -- just remember that a year ago Google and Verizon were still at each other's throats over 700MHz open-access rules. Now? Rainbows and kittens all around. Lastly, there will be a major app push coming from these two -- Verizon's obviously going to preload Android Market on its devices, and there should be some 10,000 apps available when all is said and done. Not a bad show of support by Verizon, we'd say -- and there was a lot of talk about long-term roadmaps and a "family" of products, so we'd expect much more than just two phones and smiles over the next few months. Things are certainly getting interesting, no?
Verizon releases early data-focused LTE specs, CDMA nowhere in sight
Verizon's got a lot of work to do before it lights up its next-gen LTE network in 2010, and things are beginning to move along: the company just released the first set of specs for device manufacturers as part of its Open Development Initiative. It's still a rough draft, but there are a few big-picture tidbits buried in the dense jargon -- the LTE network will start out as a data-only service, and right now devices aren't required to support CDMA at all, which is a pretty bold move. That certainly makes sense as Verizon's test networks go live in the next few months, but the company's has already said that phones will be available at launch, so we're guessing things are going to change quickly as time marches on -- 60Mbps mobile downloads, here we come.Read - Verizon PRRead - Specs site (registration required)
CTIA: get open-access language out of stimulus package
Included in the near-trillion dollar stimulus package kicking around Congress right now is a grand total of $6 billion earmarked for broadband initiatives, wireless included -- and while we're sure the CTIA's totally cool with that, there's some pesky language they'd rather not see. It seems any deployments undertaken with that taxpayer money must be done so with open access in mind, which -- let's be honest -- seems like a totally fair policy considering public cash is getting dropped into this, but CTIA prez Steve Largent thinks that it's "saddling the stimulus measure with an ambiguous government mandate that will deter providers from taking advantage of the grant program." In other words, carriers are going to take one look at the strings attached to the cash, turn, and run in the other direction. Open access (or the illusion thereof) seems to be working out alright for Verizon so far -- though we won't really know how that whole sitch plays out until the 700MHz spectrum goes live -- but either way, can't the CTIA see why the feds aren't interested in handing out a blank check here?
Verizon promises to play by the 700MHz open-access rules
Google's been making all kinds of a fuss lately over what it claims are Verizon's plans to subvert the intent of the 700MHz open-access rules, but it looks like the carrier isn't interested in fighting it out (for once). Verizon issued a statement today saying that it "understood the FCC's rules," and that "of course we'll abide by those rules." Of course, that doesn't really mean anything until they build out the network and we see how they actually implement open-access -- which will take years -- but once again, it seems like Google is really the one in control of the 700MHz spectrum, even though it didn't win. Crafty!
Google calls for FCC to force open access rules or block Verizon's 700MHz bid
It looks like Verizon isn't taking those 700MHz spectrum open access rules very seriously, and a certain competing bidder isn't real happy. In a petition filed with the FCC by Google, the company alleges that Verizon is willfully ignoring the "plain meaning of the [open access] rule" by suggesting it will allow one type of access for users who use Verizon-approved devices, and another for those using third-party units. According to the document, "Verizon's position would completely reverse the meaning of the rule such that the open access condition would apply to none of Verizon's customers, and thereby render the condition a nullity." The search giant is calling for the FCC to block Verizon's $4.7 billion bid on the spectrum unless the company agrees to comply with the previously-decided open access rules. Since this isn't the first inkling we've had that Verizon wasn't down with open access, we're not surprised, but it looks like Google has a little more fight left in them -- and that could make all the difference. [Warning: PDF read link][Via IP Democracy; Thanks, Bram]
FCC turns down Skype's open access petition
Carriers have been making some strong strides in the direction of open access, and the recent 700MHz auction was a particular win for consumers, but the FCC isn't quite ready to go whole hog here. The commission has turned down Skype's request that the FCC expand 1968's Carterphone landline ruling to apply to the mobile industry, which would mean that operators would be required to let any device run on their network as long as it doesn't do damage. If you'll hear Verizon or AT&T tell it, that's what they're doing already, but Skype obviously wants some protection for its bandwidth-hogging, carrier revenue-threatening P2P VoIP app, and the FCC isn't quite ready to fork it over.
700MHz auction comes to a $19.6B finish, winners still not revealed
Hear that? Yeah, that's the fat lady -- the 700MHz auction is over today, and the FCC netted $19.6B for the 1,099 licenses it put on the block. It's still not known who placed the winning $4.75B bid for the lucrative open-access 50-state C-block (probably Verizon) but hopefully we'll find out soon. There was a ton of regional action as well: a package of licenses for spectrum in Chicago went for $892.4M, another set for Newark and NYC went for $884.7M, and LA's two sets of 700MHz airwaves cost some lucky punter giant corporation $580.3M and $484M -- and if you'd scraped together $17K, you would be the king of the airwaves in American Samoa. Sadly, no one met the reserve for the public-safety D-block, so it looks like Uncle Sam's going to have to toss it in the back of the van and schlep it the old fashioned way. We doubt we'll know for sure who's got what until the gray suits manage to verify everything and make sure all the rules were followed, but it's still an historic day -- and remember, we've got all the info on what this could mean in the future right here.Update: The FCC says we'll know who won what within 10 days -- it's just like waiting for Santa, only instead of a fat man giving you presents, it's a vast government bureaucracy giving major corporations thin air![Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Verizon to offer open network details next month
Remember that "minimum technical standard" Verizon promised to detail in early 2008 when it announced its open network initiative last year? Manufacturers, developers, and pretty much anyone else that cares are all finally about to find out what that exactly that means at Verizon's Open Development Device Conference in late March. The specification, creatively titled Version 1.0, may be refined based on input from conference attendees, but it's expected to be largely complete -- enough of a foundation for folks taking the initiative seriously to get started on products that can take advantage of Verizon's goodwill. The show kicks off on March 19 in preparation for a "network-only" plan option that Big Red expects to make available once open access devices start to get real.[Via Phone Scoop]
Analysts calling it in favor of... Verizon
Get your head out of election mode, people, we've got a 700MHz auction to worry about! Those in the know are saying that Verizon is sneaking away with the C block, and that Google isn't too miffed about it. Plenty of pundits were predicting that Google would stand by its word and bid up to the $4.6 billion required to ensure the block of spectrum is made "open," but they figured Google would bail on the auction at that point and hope someone else would come along to up the ante and foot the bill. From all indications, Verizon is that lucky bidder, but instead of bidding directly on the national C block, analysts believe it's been Verizon that's snapped up enough regional slices of spectrum to equal the bidding price of the C block. Under FCC rules, if regional bids outstrip the C block price, the block is divvied up and given to the respective bidders. While any proper Google fanboy would love to see the search giant get its hand on last-mile wireless spectrum and break the grasp of current service providers, it was also rather optimistic. Don't stop believing, bidding isn't over yet, but we're getting ready to hunker down for another couple decades of Verizon / AT&T rivalry.
Open access: everything you always wanted to know, over at Engadget
Feeling frightened, confused, or tingly due to all this 700MHz auction talk and its "open access" rules? Truck on over to Engadget classic and get the full rundown on what you need to know.
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!
700MHz auction set to begin tomorrow, suits in a tizzy
After months of fevered debate, last minute legal maneuvering, bitchy press releases, and drastic reversals of course, the most boring part of the 700MHz saga begins tomorrow: the actual auction. Yep, the pre-battle snipefest between Google and Verizon is over, the last participants have registered, and the FCC has set a minimum price of $10 billion per five blocks of spectrum, so it's time to ante up. Of course, the auction will take two months and is totally confidential and sealed, so we won't know how anything plays out until March, but the FCC will be posting each day's bid anonymously on it's web site, so that'll be fun. Interestingly, most analysts are predicting that Google will walk away empty-handed after making a token bid at the outset, since it's basically already won all the open-access provisions it wanted. Of course, that doesn't explain why we've heard that there's a secret 700MHz test network down in Mountain View and Ed Schmidt has said that he'll put Google's "money where our principles are," but again -- we won't know till we know. Paddles up!
Nokia commends FCC for 'open access' clause in 700MHz spectrum
While we've already heard AT&T give its own praise in favor of the "open access" clause in the 700MHz spectrum auction, here comes yet another firm ready and willing to give the thumbs-up to the FCC on its relatively consumer-friendly decision. Nokia has made known that it "applauds" the move to require open access for the 700MHz spectrum, and stated that the "decision represents an acknowledgment by the FCC that US consumers should have access to a broader choice of innovative wireless devices and services." Furthermore, the company claimed that the rules would be "an important step towards meeting consumer demand and driving further innovation as mobility and the internet converge." We believe a round of golf claps are in order, no?
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.
AT&T endorses open access to 700MHz spectrum
The jostling around the upcoming FCC auction for the 700MHz spectrum has been kind of a snoozefest until now: as you'd expect, big wireless companies like Verizon have staunchly supported the traditional closed license model, while 'net companies like Google have advocated for open access. That's about as exciting as these things get, actually -- which means the gray-suit crowd had better hold onto their hats, because AT&T has suddenly switched sides and is now in favor of FCC chairman Kevin Martin's open-access plan, which isn't quite as liberal as Google's proposal, but still requires the auction winner to allow any device or application to use the network. The key difference is that the winner of the auction will have to pay a minimum price to secure the open-access rules -- if that price isn't met, the auction will be re-run without the open-access rules in place. That strikes us as a little backwards, actually -- why would any company pay more for a non-exclusive license? -- but at least it's making this whole thing a little less boring, with AT&T spokespeople just up and saying things like, "In effect, (FCC) chairman Martin's plan faces Google and others with a 'put up or shut up' opportunity." Let the fireworks begin![Via RCR Wireless News]
