FCC to unveil auction plan today

FCC TO UNVEIL AUCTION PLAN TODAY
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Rachelle Younglai]
The Federal Communications Commission will take its first stab on Wednesday at defining how a 2007 auction of airwave spectrum will take place. The agency plans to auction airwaves later this year that are being returned by television broadcasters as they move to digital signals early in 2009. The sale is touted as the last opportunity for new players to enter the wireless market and is expected to raise billions of dollars. But first the FCC has to define how the auction will work, provide a set of rules on how the spectrum will be divided and say what kind of services can be offered using the airwaves. The FCC is expected to outline a tentative plan at an open meeting of its commissioners on Wednesday -- a crucial step that will help potential bidders craft their strategy. The Media Access Project and other consumer advocacy groups such as Consumers Union are pushing for rules they say would increase competition. The groups want half the airwaves up for auction to be designated as "open access" spectrum. That would allow other companies to buy access on established wireless networks so they can offer their own wireless services. The consumer groups also want rules to ensure that broadband providers treat all Internet content in the same way.
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN2441759420070424

* Wireless tech's high-stakes turf
http://news.com.com/FCC+to+reveal+spectrum+auction+plan/2100-1039_3-6178...