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Aug. 1st, 2007

Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission was scheduled to finalize rules for the upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction, expected to be held some time in 2008.

This is after many months of meetings, lobbying and even some name-calling amongst some members.

Most of the confusion has been revolving around some proposals to tag open access requirements to at least a portion of the new airwaves.

This would mean some users could connect using any device and would be able to access any type of wireless services.

Though the wireless industry has insisted open access requirements are unnecessary in a market that continues to be competitive and innovative, wireless carriers still tightly control and regulate the kind of technology consumers are physically allowed to use on their networks, as well as control access to specific services.

Lately, both Verizon Wireless and AT&T have concluded that open access requirements on at least a portion of the airwaves would not be the end of the world.

Representing the pro-open access side of the debate, meanwhile, Google has argued that the FCC's initial proposal does not push the open access ideology far enough to actually create the important changes needed in the market.

As for the rest of the rules regarding this auction, we will have to wait until announcements are made later August 2.

So far, not all members of the FCC have stepped forward in support of the newly-proposed open access requirements.

However, there are some industry observers that anticipate the FCC's initial plan for open access requirements on about 31 percent of the spectrum will be voted by the majority and accepted some time in 2008.

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Source: Wireless Week