Comments on: Braving the telecom lobbyist backlash

On the eve of his congressional testimony, Skydeck CEO Jason Devitt writes that open access is the key to wireless innovation.

[LarryLo]

Go Get'em Jason!

A well thought out and explained position!

This is about our country's future as a technology leader! You are squarely on the right side of the debate!

[howgate]

Help Public Education!

In addition to allocating some of this spectrum for public safety, why no also allocate some some free spectrum space for the use in public education?

Why do the wireless carriers have to keep adding more bricks to their "walled gardens"?? Our poor students can NOT afford $2o-60 per month extra for broadband access!

[trudancor]

Good thoughts but...

I am in favor of lower prices for consumers, heck, I am one. And yes, some of these carriers do gouge you. But before we start comparing the internet to the wireless arena, remember that most of the "telcom" infrastructure was already in place and already paid for; the internet was gravy. Wireless is "new" and require significant investments. Why should I as a carrier, having paid the price, be now forced to sell my bandwidth to a competitor at a discounted price?
You want to compete, build your own infrastructure, then compete. Can't pay, Don't play!

We America, need to move away from the "free" mentality, it will be the ruin of us all. We want everything free or cheap and wonder why decent paying jobs are so hard to come by.

[spothannah]

Good thoughts but....

Gee, I sure wouldn't want the folks that built that infrastructure to go broke. I mean they did it all on their own without any tax-breaks from us or making any money off of us. I'm sure if it were the other way arround and we needed something from them they'd be all to happy to provide it to us out of their own pockets.

[Venkatasiva08]

The cost of mobile is so high

In india we pay less that $20 for reasonable amount of usage and there is no plan less than $39.99 without a 2 year contract here. Data plans here are prohibitive. No provider has pay as you go data plans. So much for consumer choice.

[ForbesM]

Who would say Open Access isn't American

I wrote a letter to my Congressional delegation prior to the 700 Mhz spectrum decision and I wanted to point out how important Open Access is:

The FCC is about to set the auction on the 700 MHZ frequencies also known as "White Space". These are the frequencies made available by consolidating TV over the air channels.

As you may remember, from previous letters, I own the largest Wireless Internet Provider based in my community and my growth is solely due to the FCC allowing us access to the 900Mhz, 2.4Ghz and 5.8Ghz among other higher frequencies. The intent was to satisfy the President and the FCC's desire to expand High Speed Internet to the rural areas. We still provide service to numerous areas that the Telco's and Cable industry are not interested in any rural areas. The Telecom giants love to claim how they want Internet for everyone they have had 30 years to prove it and still they don?t care. They want high density subscription not sparse rural expenses.

It goes back to the old saying 'If the Telecom Act wasn't passed we never would have had the Internet because AT&T would never allow something they couldn't control and solely benefit from'. Open frequencies benefit everyone and provide for more individual innovation such as multiple vendors selling security systems, phones, Internet, etc..

The original intent was to have 700 MHZ. classified "Open Access" to allow uses that are now limited in range and vegetation penetration due to the higher frequency limitations. Google is trying to bribe the FCC to have exclusive use of the 700 MHZ range by promising a huge amount in advance of bidding, AT&T and Verizon among others are threatening to sue so you can see how valuable this range is.

I'm not a high paid lobbyist for the Telecom industry but I represent the true spirit of this country, an individual small business owner who has a successful niche. The well-paid lobbyists of the incumbent carriers tell us that open access is corporate welfare for Google, a vast left-wing conspiracy, and an attack on property rights. It's all spin on them trying to lock up frequencies so open access doesn't allow Americans more options.

I just wanted to make sure you were aware these arguments are all false and its the gradual return to market monopoly that is the real threat to an America that is already far behind our Asian and European counterparts. I just ask that you keep your eyes on this one and make sure the FCC doesn?t lose sight of who they serve, it?s not corporate America its individual Americans and the innovation we are capable of providing.


Now that the auction has been submitted make sure you read Commissioner Tate's comments. It's like she has no clue what she is talking about but she kept going on and on.