Yesterday we reported that the CTIA was lobbying the House of Representatives for smaller carriers who claim the open access rules on the C Block slice of spectrum in the upcoming 700 MHz auction will make it difficult for them to compete. FCC chairman Kevin Martin had a surprising response: Well, it's a good thing we didn't impose "open access" rules on all the spectrum in the auction. The FCC considered it, Martin said. Ultimately, the agency decided to only apply it to the C Block because it was concerned smaller carriers wouldn't be able to compete in an auction for only "open access" spectrum.
For more on the comment:
- read this article from Dow Jones