Gizmodo: spectrum auction

FCC Says Free Wireless Plans Won't Screw Up T-Mobile's 3G

Elaine Chow — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:52:00 EDT

Trying to add a silver lining to your undoubtedly dismal economic future, the FCC has struck down T-Mobile's complaints that the agency's scheme to offer free wireless to lower-income peoples will interfere with established 3G networks. In an engineering report, the agency claimed that there would be no “significant risk of harmful interference.”

That's a good thing should this plan, which would offer downstream speeds of 768kbps for free to half the U.S. within the first four years, and 95% in the next six, actually come to fruition. T-Mobile and its ilk have threatened to sue if the FCC's action impairs their ability to use the spectrums they purchased in any way.

Will it ever be though? I mean, who does the FCC think is going to buy something with this many expensive restrictions on it in the first place? [Mobile Tech Today]

FCC Planning New Spectrum Auction With Free Broadband for All

Elaine Chow — Sat, 24 May 2008 16:30:00 EDT

It looks like the FCC is taking up Congresswoman Anna Eshoo's dopey scheme to deliver internet to the masses with another spectrum auction that would require the winner to offer free broadband to half of the US within four years, and 95 percent sometime after that. A nearly impossible task, on top of being silly in the first place, so don't expect anyone to volunteer to pay for the privilege. There's no set date for this proposed auction of 25MHz in the 2155 to 2180MHz range, but the FCC is planning to meet on June 16 to discuss the rules of the ~~fail~~ sale. [RCR Wireless News]

All Systems Go: 700MHz Auction Rules and Bidders Stamped in Stone

matt buchanan — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:49:32 EST

I know I'm a geek because I'm almost as giddy for this as I am for MacWorld: The rules and bidders (214 of 'em) for 700Mhz spectrum auction, which starts on Jan. 24, have been finalized. No surprises here—the heavies like AT&T, Verizon and Google have their shit in order and the C block fireworks look good to go. [Ars]

Afternoon News: Boffins Galore, Spectrum Auction, Rock, Paper, Scissors and More

Benny Goldman — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:59:43 EST

• Joining the other boffins we've discussed today is this Indian boffin, who invented a flying carpet by attaching a powerful motor to a thin sheet of fabric. By the way, we have not used the word "boffin" on this site since 2004. Boffin! [Wired]
• The FCC announced the participants in the 700MHz spectrum auction. If I were a betting man, I'd go with the Paul Bunyan Rural Telephone Cooperative FTW!!1! [TechCrunch]
• HP paid Staples $100 million to not stock competitor's ink, and made the money back by charging $8,000 for a gallon of their own ink, according to a lawsuit. The official charge: Dorkateering. [Ars]
• New Scientist claims it has the secret to winning Rock, Paper, Scissors. The battle of wits has begun! [Telegraph]