Martin: We need public-private 700 MHz tie-up

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin told a gathering at Microsoft's Mountain View, California offices that he is open to public-private partnerships for new wireless networks, possibly showing the commission's hand on new policies for the 700 MHz auction. Martin also said that the FCC wants to ensure that network operators do not become the gatekeepers of innovation in the consumer space, and that the commission wants to have multiple wireless providers. Martin said the commission has imposed strict requirements that will ensure that the spectrum is not acquired and then kept unused as an anti-competitive maneuver.

"One of the things that I think we need to do is (to consider) the potential to have some synergies between the two, some public-private partnerships that would allow for cross-utilization of the spectrum," Martin said.

For more on Martin's talk:
- see PC Magazine article

Also: See Andy Seybold's commentary on 700 Mhz in today's Friday Feature.