Comments on: FCC approves some open wireless requirements

Some critics argue the commissioners should have gone further and others say they should have let market forces prevail.

[michaelo1966]

Oops, they did it again...

"His position drew support from Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), the ranking member of the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee..."

I vaguely recall the Democrats retaking Congress, so the ranking member of any House Committee would be a Democrat. Joe Barton and his party were thrown out by voters because they are corrupt and incompetent: they're not the ranking members on any committees right now.

Of course, this is a "news" organization that employees Declan "Da Liah" McCullagh. Given that I guess accuracy isn't a criteria in news gathering. Rather they're just hoping Joe Barton exclaims something akin to "Al Gore says he invented the Internet" (which, of course, he didn't say) so they can broadcast the misquote widely and gain...? OK: I have no idea what they hope to gain.

[p.shearer]

criticizing the criticism

The term ?ranking member? is often used refer to the senior member from either party. Technically it should have been ?ranking minority member? but its well understood either way. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranking_member for more information on this topic.

This was a well written, balanced article. Your criticism of Declan and company seem to be a bit ?off balanced?. Consider centering-exercising or deep breathing. Aroma therapy might help as well.

[Zoe Slocum]

Rep. Joe Barton

According to the Republican Web site for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Barton is designated the ranking member. Please see the committee's Web site for more information: http://republicans.energycommerce.house.gov.

[kenwilli]

Air waves belong to the public

This is only 22 MHz of spectrum. No serious threat to the imcumbent can be launched in such a small block. Besides all the airwaves are owned by the American public, and the public should have access to a small part for innovation and open source applications. The imcumbents will only provide apps that ensure their continued dominance.

[directorblue]

FCC should measure ROI, not just short-term auction proceeds!

You are absolutely right. This Business Week article describes what happened when France unbundled its access to ensure that France Telecom (the incumbent) couldn?t lock out other vendors from wholesaling offerings.

http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/jul2007/gb20070718_387052.htm?chan=rss_topStories_ssi_5

The result? An unprecedented wave of innovation that has touched off deployment of new fiber (unsubsidized by taxpayers, by the way) and amazing new services.

Rather than evaluate the short-term gains from the auction, the FCC should have been concerned with long-term ROI (return-on-investment) to the American economy. That only comes about by preventing the telcos, their lawyers and lobbyists from hamstringing competition.

Instead, we get more of the same, with a couple of giant telcos protecting their turf. The result is that America will become a technological backwater for mobile development.

Thanks, FCC!

[Dale Sundstrom]

Not Open Enough

It's clear that the FCC should support the MOST open access possible. Full open access provisions are appropriate because there is no public benefit from allowing exclusive and restrictive use of the public airwaves; but there are great benefits from open access.
The decision not to support more open access is inappropriate and could even suggest undue influence. The lack of open access will stifle choice, competition, innovation and growth. Congress should intervene by passing legislation requiring open access (including open wholesale access) in new allocations of the public airwaves. Hopefully someone like Google will win a good chunk of these licenses and provide access in an open wholesale manner. This auction is a very important allocation of prime radio spectrum which belongs to everyone; allowing exclusive and restrictive use of it might increase the perceived value of the licenses, but is a disservice to the public.

[jeffro5]

michaelo1966

Ranking member is the congressman with the most seniority on the commitee that is a member of the minority party