As the deadline for bidders in the upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction approaches on Monday, Google asked the FCC for a few clarifications on the bidding process, the special rules for the spectrum and whether disclosing a winning bid for the auction in an SEC filing would violate auction rules. FCC rules bar companies from disclosing their winning bids until the FCC issues a public notice, but that rule also conflicts with an SEC rule that requires Google and others to declare a "materially definitive agreement" within four days.
Google filed a separate request to the FCC that asked the regulating body to change the wording in one rule that bans winning bidders from charging end users additional discriminatory fees for using third party devices. Google said it was worried that the rule could stifle carriers from offering new pricing plans.
For more on Google's auction plans:
- read this article from MarketWatch