The complete filing is available in PDF Format
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20554
In the Matter of
Service Rules for the 698-746, 747-762, and 777-792 MHZ Bands (WT Docket No. 06-150.)
Implementing a Nationwide, Broadband, Interoperable Public Safety Network in the 700 MHZ Band (PS Docket No. 06-229.)
Implementation of the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act and Modernization of the Commission’s Competitive Bidding Rules and Procedures (WT Docket No. 05-211.)
Development of Operational, Technical, and Spectrum Requirements for Meeting Federal, State and Local Public Safety Communications Requirements Through 2010 (WT Docket No. 96-86.)
To: The Commission:
Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, Free Press, Media Access Project, New America Foundation and Public Knowledge (collectively referred to here as the “Public Interest Spectrum Coalition” or “PISC”), file these ex parte comments urging the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) to condition the award of licenses for at least half of the 700 MHz band on the licensees’ compliance with open access principles. The auction of licenses in the 700 MHz band is a unique and critical opportunity to bring broadband to American consumers and open an avenue for competitive broadband providers. It is without question the best opportunity to open a legitimate “third pipe” for consumer broadband connectivity—long a goal of the Commission. Given the state of the market failure in US broadband and our unenviable position relative to international performance in broadband connections, a pro-competitive policy in the 700 MHz auction is imperative. The undersigned public interest groups urge the FCC to adopt our recommendations in order to maximize the opportunities for new, competitive entrants and promote greater broadband access in the United States. We recommend that the FCC require that a portion of the auctioned licenses be subject to a service condition of open access. This will create a competitive retail market for wireless broadband services in a national marketplace. It will bring innovative, competitive providers into the market that would otherwise never appear.
