Wireless Broadband for US?

RCR. It appears that the FCC may auction off an AWS III frequency — 2155-2180 MHz. Its only 25mhz of bandwidth but it maybe enough to make things interesting. –

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin scheduled a vote on rules for another major spectrum auction, one that would encompass 25 megahertz in the 2155-2180 MHz advanced wireless services band and require the winning bidder to offer free broadband service under an aggressive build-out schedule.

“We’ve had a variety of proposals that had come into the commission originally where some people wanted us to give them the spectrum,” said Martin in a briefing with reporters. The FCC chief said a vote may be held at the agency’s upcoming June 12 meeting, but added it is possible the measure could be approved before that date.

Martin said that a licensee of the 2155-2180 MHz spectrum (referred to as the AWS III band) would have to provide a free service tier, and would have to reach 50% of the population in four years and 95% of the population by the end of the license term.

Martin also said the agency will initiate a separate rulemaking on what to do with other AWS frequencies.

The FCC earlier this year auctioned 62 megahertz of 700 MHz spectrum, raising almost $20 billion.

It is unclear whether the FCC would hold the AWS III auction later this year, and if that auction will affect the agency’s plans to re-auction of the 700 MHz D Block. The D Block — whose rules currently call for a public safety-private sector partnership via a national license — was not claimed in the 700 MHz auction because no bidder met the $1.3 billion reserve price.

There is both questions and opportunity here.

Questions –

• Who the h@^^ would be crazy enough to go into a commercial venture that requires a free service tier. Nobody would want anything but that.
• Considering those facts who would be crazy enough to do the build out?
• What would be the restrictions? At only 25mhz bandwidth you aren’t going to do much beyond messaging and digital transport. Video would be a bandwidth buster.

Opportunities –

• Were a consortium of ARRL, Microsoft, Intel and GE to bid or get abeyance from the FCC a great deal of good good could be made. Subchannels of bandwidth could be offered for Ham technical use, Medical systems, and data transport.
• Might make a viable baseline for the white space battle so that the whole legal issue could be avoided with the legacy network people.
• Let a nonprofit handle the appropriate licensing issues for certain subbands.

FCC you hearing us? Do it. But don’t auction it off, make it the ‘public commons’.

Linky.