Fun fact about the 2.5Ghz spectrum Sprint and Clearwire hotly desire for their WiMax dreams: two-thirds of it is classified “EBS,” meaning it can’t be owned directly by businesses, so it’s in the hands of schools and non-profits. To make use of the EBS spectrum, which they need to make good on the coverage maps they’re plotting, Sprint has to lease a license from a current holder, most of whom have been sitting on it, doing a fat lot of nothing. Now that Sprint’s knocking on their doors with checks, they’ve realized just what they’re sitting on.
https://gizmodo.com/sprints-wimax-gear-to-hit-at-full-price-no-contract-304178
Consequently, the FCC’s been inundated with renewal requests as license holders look to cash in on WiMax trailblazing. Naturally, Sprint’s not too happy to be set up for a rolling extortion party, so they’re pushing the FCC to swat down the gold rushers, calling their requests an attempt to “hijack…valuable spectrum.” Harsh. Either way, the path to a WiMax wonderland looks like it’s going to be a little bumpier than anticipated. [MarketWatch via /.]
