The FCC is Busy (Part 2)

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| Peter Radizeski of RAD-INFO, Inc. talking telecom, Cloud, VoIP, CLEC, and The Channel.

The FCC is Busy (Part 2)

Top stories at the FCC, where there seems to be a lot of activity lately.

The FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau clarified the rules for data collection for Special Access circuits. WC Docket No. 05-25 Report and Order is out.

Susan Crawford writes, "The giant companies that sell access to the Internet are working on multiple fronts to ensure that no regulator has any real authority over them." She is talking about the last 2 RBOCs - AT&T and Verizon, although VZ is the one making the most noise with its lawsuit against the FCC.

"The Obama administration has filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission asking that all wireless carriers be required to unlock all mobile devices," reports many sources. The 700 MHz spectrum that VZW won in the auction was deemed Open Access. Google's Nexus 7 with LTE is in a fight with VZW over the unlocking. Good story here where VZW claims that our system isn't built for that. If VZW claims it will be too hard and costly, the FCC will likely forgive them. There systems are closed and proprietary and antiquated - fix it or give the spectrum back!

ZDnet has the story of Verizon Enterprise Solutions president John Stratton criticizing Google, Yahoo and Microsoft for suing "the NSA in order to be able to reveal more about their interactions with the intelligence agency."

The FCC has announced the H Block (1.9GHz) spectrum auction.

The FCC approved the Alltel acquisition by ATT.

"the FCC has given the thumbs-up to AT&T on its proposed $780 million acquisition of Alltel assets. The package includes retail stores, approximately 620,000 customers in the Midwest, network equipment and spectrum in the 700MHz, 850MHz and 1900MHz bands. AT&T isn't getting away scot-free, however, as the FCC will only approve the deal based on a few conditions: first, the network needs to deploy HSPA+ and LTE in the new areas within 15 and 18 months (respectively); second, AT&T must keep Alltel's 3G EVDO network alive and kicking until at least June 15, 2015. Third, AT&T needs to ensure that every affected customer gets a comparable phone for free without a contract extension. [engadget]

And the FCC is still without 2 commissioners, because Congress is too dysfunctional to do its job!



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