FCC Deluged with Spectrum Auction Comments
Can we say, “PISSED OFF” ??? That’s the feeling that seems to be coming through with the roughly quarter MILLION comments submitted to the FCC re the upcoming Spectrum Auction Rules, which will determine the existence (or not) of a third Broadband pipe which will have the ability to reach rural areas. This many comments to the FCC on ANY issue is unprecedented, but when you add in the fact that Big Media has barely, if at all, reported this upcoming spectrum auction, since they’re in the most likely pool of bidders who would benefit if the bidding rules aren’t significantly changed, it becomes very clear that the US People are FED UP with Telecomm and Media business as usual, and with the lack of reporting on serious issues which affect us all. 250,000 people obviously heard of this somewhat obscure issue somewhere, and it definitely wasn’t on commercial TV or Radio, which means 250,000 people are pissed off enough to be following the shenanigans of Big Telecomm and Big Media from other sources, particularly from the Internet, the bastard child that Big Telecomm, Big Media, and the present Administration would love to control. And the fact that 250,000 people commented, in the face of the lack of reportage from traditional media, is the best argument so far for better rulings on broadband and technology issues. The fact that 250,000 people commented on this has also been noted by some of our upcoming Presidential Candidates, Edwards in particular, which tells you it’s now a hotbutton Campaign item. Why? The net neutral internet WORKS.
Past spectrum auctions, which weren’t anonymous, allowed the incumbent Telecomm and Media giants to signal each other re bidding and block entry to newcomers, resulted in our current status quo, which leaves the US way behind other countries in Broadband deployment and speed.
I really hope the FCC does the right thing. Though it will be hard for them to buck the concerns of all the commenters as well as the New Congress with Dingell and Markey watching over their shoulders, we all know the Devil is in the Details, and Chairman Martin, though he pays lip service to competition, has tried to scuttle efforts to protect the internet in the past, and has given away a lot to Big Telecomm.
Technorati Tags: FCC Spectrum Auction Comments, Markey, Dingell, Telecomms, Broadband Policy
