[WISPA] FCC Auction Should Allow for Open Wireless Network, Say Lawmakers
FCC Auction Should Allow for Open Wireless Network, Say Lawmakers By Kim Hart Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, July 12, 2007; D08 Key lawmakers on Capitol Hill yesterday supported the idea that regulators should give consumers greater control over how they use their cellphones. Several members of a House subcommittee voiced agreement with a proposal that would require a portion of valuable airwaves about to be auctioned off by the Federal Communications Commission to be used for an open network that would connect to any mobile device or service. Such a rule would benefit technology companies such as Google, Intel, Yahoo and Skype, who want more ways to reach their customers without going through carriers. The plan could hurt wireless carriers, who say unfettered access to their networks would undermine billions of dollars of investment for high-speed services. This issue of open access lies at the center of the debate about rules that will govern the spectrum auction, which are expected to be released this month. FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin has proposed setting aside one-third of the spectrum for an open network that would work with any cellphone. Supporters of Google and its partners say an open network would promote innovation by letting consumers use services on new devices like the iPhone without being limited to a single network. But critics argue that placing such conditions on the bidding process would actually stifle competition and reduce revenues from the auction, which is expected to yield between $15 billion and $20 billion for the U.S. Treasury. Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), who chairs the subcommittee that handles telecommunications and Internet issues, urged the FCC to seize this opportunity to create an open-access opportunity for wireless service in this auction. He added that wireless carriers are exerting far too much control over the features, functions and applications that wireless gadget makers and content entrepreneurs can offer directly to consumers. Ranking Republican Fred Upton of Michigan countered by saying the wireless market is already vigorously competitive. No matter how you slice it, he said, the proposal smothers investment in a competitive market, and in the end would leave consumers worse off and with fewer choices. The four-hour hearing highlighted the divergent views of policymakers and industry representatives on the consequences of using a slice of the spectrum for an open-access network. Steven E. Zipperstein, general counsel for Verizon Wireless, testified that competition already forces wireless companies to invest in new products and networks, ultimately benefiting consumers. He also said that any open-access requirement would make the spectrum less valuable to companies like Verizon Wireless. But Jason Devitt, who runs a Silicon Valley start-up that sells wireless products and services, disagreed. While the major carriers such as Verizon Wireless and ATamp;T bring new products to market, he said, there are so many other products and services not getting in front of consumers because carriers act as gatekeepers. I'm an entrepreneur, and I'm mad as hell I have to ask for permission to innovate, he said, referring to what he called the wireless companies' death grip on the market. Google, which has been lobbying Congress and the FCC in favor of open networks, has not decided whether it will formally bid on a piece of the spectrum and build a wireless network. On the company's public policy blog, Google's Washington telecom and media counsel, Richard Whitt, wrote Tuesday that the company was still interested in participating in the auction but said it's clear that the incumbent carriers have built-in advantages that will prove difficult to overcome. Google said it favors openness that allows all services, applications and devices to work on the wireless network. Some consumer advocates say the auction rules Martin proposed this week do not go far enough to promote real competition. In addition to allowing any device to connect to the network, the FCC should require the auction winner to wholesale the spectrum to companies that impose no rules on what type of services and equipment consumers can use, said Art Brodsky of Public Knowledge, an advocacy group. Martin seems to be testing the waters, Brodsky said, with draft rules that seem to favor high-tech companies over the major telecom carriers. He wants to see the congressional and industry reaction, he said. He's trying to see what kind of support he'll get. Would you like to see your advertisement here? Let the WISPA Board know your feelings about allowing advertisements on the free WISPA lists. The current Board is taking this under consideration at this time. We want to know your thoughts. -- WISPA Wireless List:
RE: [WISPA] FCC Auction Should Allow for Open Wireless Network, Say Lawmakers
Hi there! New to the list but wanted to jump in with comments: This was, IMO, a great hearing. I watched about the first 2 hours of it and was delighted by the responses of the witnesses. Hearing the chair of the committee refer to the ATT iPhone contract as being a Hotel California service where you can signup, but never leave with your iPhone made me chuckle. But it was Jason Devitt that drove it home for me, paraphrasing from his prepared testimony, Open Access is an unfamiliar term for a very familiar idea. The private companies who build and maintain our highways don't get to dictate what kind of car I drive. I don't have to ask Wal-Mart for permission to open a retail store next door to one of theirs. ConEd and PGE can't limit my choice of vacuum cleaner, and I don't have to ask Verizon for permission to launch a web site. However, I have to ask Verizon Wireless for permission to sell a phone that runs on their network or an application that runs on their phones. If you are interested in watching an archived version or reading more of the witness testimony, it's online @ http://energycommerce.house.gov/cmte_mtgs/110-ti-hrg.071107.ConsumerProtecti on.shtml Have a great day, and I look forward to contributing to this list :) -drew Drew Lentz [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David Hughes Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2007 7:15 AM To: 'WISPA General List' Subject: [WISPA] FCC Auction Should Allow for Open Wireless Network,Say Lawmakers FCC Auction Should Allow for Open Wireless Network, Say Lawmakers By Kim Hart Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, July 12, 2007; D08 Key lawmakers on Capitol Hill yesterday supported the idea that regulators should give consumers greater control over how they use their cellphones. Several members of a House subcommittee voiced agreement with a proposal that would require a portion of valuable airwaves about to be auctioned off by the Federal Communications Commission to be used for an open network that would connect to any mobile device or service. Such a rule would benefit technology companies such as Google, Intel, Yahoo and Skype, who want more ways to reach their customers without going through carriers. The plan could hurt wireless carriers, who say unfettered access to their networks would undermine billions of dollars of investment for high-speed services. This issue of open access lies at the center of the debate about rules that will govern the spectrum auction, which are expected to be released this month. FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin has proposed setting aside one-third of the spectrum for an open network that would work with any cellphone. Supporters of Google and its partners say an open network would promote innovation by letting consumers use services on new devices like the iPhone without being limited to a single network. But critics argue that placing such conditions on the bidding process would actually stifle competition and reduce revenues from the auction, which is expected to yield between $15 billion and $20 billion for the U.S. Treasury. Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), who chairs the subcommittee that handles telecommunications and Internet issues, urged the FCC to seize this opportunity to create an open-access opportunity for wireless service in this auction. He added that wireless carriers are exerting far too much control over the features, functions and applications that wireless gadget makers and content entrepreneurs can offer directly to consumers. Ranking Republican Fred Upton of Michigan countered by saying the wireless market is already vigorously competitive. No matter how you slice it, he said, the proposal smothers investment in a competitive market, and in the end would leave consumers worse off and with fewer choices. The four-hour hearing highlighted the divergent views of policymakers and industry representatives on the consequences of using a slice of the spectrum for an open-access network. Steven E. Zipperstein, general counsel for Verizon Wireless, testified that competition already forces wireless companies to invest in new products and networks, ultimately benefiting consumers. He also said that any open-access requirement would make the spectrum less valuable to companies like Verizon Wireless. But Jason Devitt, who runs a Silicon Valley start-up that sells wireless products and services, disagreed. While the major carriers such as Verizon Wireless and ATamp;T bring new products to market, he said, there are so many other products and services not getting in front of consumers because carriers act as gatekeepers. I'm an entrepreneur, and I'm mad as hell I have to ask for permission to innovate, he said, referring to what he called the wireless companies' death grip on the market. Google, which has been lobbying Congress and the FCC in favor of open networks, has not decided whether it will formally bid on a piece of the spectrum
Re: [WISPA] FCC Auction Should Allow for Open Wireless Network, Say Lawmakers
Gawd, it is this kind of thing that makes me wish I was a Democrat. Why can't we all find the middle? -m- David Hughes wrote: FCC Auction Should Allow for Open Wireless Network, Say Lawmakers By Kim Hart Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, July 12, 2007; D08 Key lawmakers on Capitol Hill yesterday supported the idea that regulators should give consumers greater control over how they use their cellphones. Several members of a House subcommittee voiced agreement with a proposal that would require a portion of valuable airwaves about to be auctioned off by the Federal Communications Commission to be used for an open network that would connect to any mobile device or service. Such a rule would benefit technology companies such as Google, Intel, Yahoo and Skype, who want more ways to reach their customers without going through carriers. The plan could hurt wireless carriers, who say unfettered access to their networks would undermine billions of dollars of investment for high-speed services. This issue of open access lies at the center of the debate about rules that will govern the spectrum auction, which are expected to be released this month. FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin has proposed setting aside one-third of the spectrum for an open network that would work with any cellphone. Supporters of Google and its partners say an open network would promote innovation by letting consumers use services on new devices like the iPhone without being limited to a single network. But critics argue that placing such conditions on the bidding process would actually stifle competition and reduce revenues from the auction, which is expected to yield between $15 billion and $20 billion for the U.S. Treasury. Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), who chairs the subcommittee that handles telecommunications and Internet issues, urged the FCC to seize this opportunity to create an open-access opportunity for wireless service in this auction. He added that wireless carriers are exerting far too much control over the features, functions and applications that wireless gadget makers and content entrepreneurs can offer directly to consumers. Ranking Republican Fred Upton of Michigan countered by saying the wireless market is already vigorously competitive. No matter how you slice it, he said, the proposal smothers investment in a competitive market, and in the end would leave consumers worse off and with fewer choices. The four-hour hearing highlighted the divergent views of policymakers and industry representatives on the consequences of using a slice of the spectrum for an open-access network. Steven E. Zipperstein, general counsel for Verizon Wireless, testified that competition already forces wireless companies to invest in new products and networks, ultimately benefiting consumers. He also said that any open-access requirement would make the spectrum less valuable to companies like Verizon Wireless. But Jason Devitt, who runs a Silicon Valley start-up that sells wireless products and services, disagreed. While the major carriers such as Verizon Wireless and ATamp;T bring new products to market, he said, there are so many other products and services not getting in front of consumers because carriers act as gatekeepers. I'm an entrepreneur, and I'm mad as hell I have to ask for permission to innovate, he said, referring to what he called the wireless companies' death grip on the market. Google, which has been lobbying Congress and the FCC in favor of open networks, has not decided whether it will formally bid on a piece of the spectrum and build a wireless network. On the company's public policy blog, Google's Washington telecom and media counsel, Richard Whitt, wrote Tuesday that the company was still interested in participating in the auction but said it's clear that the incumbent carriers have built-in advantages that will prove difficult to overcome. Google said it favors openness that allows all services, applications and devices to work on the wireless network. Some consumer advocates say the auction rules Martin proposed this week do not go far enough to promote real competition. In addition to allowing any device to connect to the network, the FCC should require the auction winner to wholesale the spectrum to companies that impose no rules on what type of services and equipment consumers can use, said Art Brodsky of Public Knowledge, an advocacy group. Martin seems to be testing the waters, Brodsky said, with draft rules that seem to favor high-tech companies over the major telecom carriers. He wants to see the congressional and industry reaction, he said. He's trying to see what kind of support he'll get. Would you like to see your advertisement here? Let the WISPA Board know your feelings about allowing advertisements on the free WISPA lists. The current Board is taking this under consideration at this time. We want
