Sen. Kohl: GOP spectrum bill a 'serious threat to consumers'

Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI) urged congressional negotiators to drop a provision that would restrict the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) ability to oversee auctions of airwaves, or spectrum, saying the measure would hamper competition in the wireless industry.

"Taking away the authority to structure auctions in a way that will promote competition is a serious threat to consumers and the future of wireless competition in this country," Sen Kohl wrote. In his letter, Sen Kohl said Section 4105 of the House bill would "fundamentally alter the current framework and limit the FCC's auction authority" to promote a competitive marketplace. "As the government is planning to auction massive amounts of valuable spectrum over the next decade, this is not the time to take a primary tool used in designing auctions to promote competition," Sen Kohl wrote. He added that Section 4105 was not in the bill when it cleared the House Energy and Commerce Committee and "did not receive full consideration by all interested parties before being inserted" into the bill when it passed the full House. Sen Kohl urged the conference committee to drop the provision "until a more thorough examination of spectrum auction policies can be held."