LAS VEGAS — Like the pair of telecom policy veterans that they are, Competitive Carriers Association CEO and President Steve Berry and current Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler had a good-natured debate during a “fireside” chat that included a good amount of insider talk as well as pointed conversation regarding topics on the minds of CCA members.
The main topic for debate was of the planned 600 MHz incentive auction, with Berry praising Wheeler for including a number of rulemaking provisions offered up by the trade association and its members, which was in turn reflected back on Berry and CCA members by Wheeler for bringing the issues to light.
However, when asked by Berry what CCA and its members should do next in support of the 600 MHz auction plans, Wheeler pleaded with the trade organization and its carrier partners to “show up.” Wheeler cited public comments from AT&T that it planned to bid at least $9 billion in the auction, which was tied to its pending acquisition attempt of DirecTV, with Wheeler also citing rumors surrounding an agreement in place between Sprint and T-Mobile US to bid $10 billion in the auction tied to their rumored merger talks.
Berry countered that CCA had a room full of interested bidders, though it appeared that Wheeler was looking for a bit more vocal support.
Wheeler showed restraint in answering Berry’s questions regarding a recent lawsuit filed by the National Association of Broadcasters, which called into question the methodology the FCC used in crafting rules for broadcaster participation in the reverse auction process.
Wheeler said he was “concerned” that the lawsuit would slow the auction process, adding that while NAB said that was not its intention, he said the legal proceedings would likely not be wrapped up until just ahead of the year-end holidays, thus making it hard to hold an auction in the middle of 2015 as planned.
“It sows insecurity,” Wheeler said, adding that broadcasters might begin to question the spectrum process and if they should participate.
“We feel we have done everything Congress has instructed us to do,” Wheeler added, noting that it was in NAB’s right to go to court and that the FCC would work through the issue.
Another topic that drew some tense back-and-forth concerned the availability of devices for rural operators. Berry pressed Wheeler on the FCC’s ability to require device makers to provide devices that support a wider variety of spectrum bands so that CCA members would be able to tap into the latest devices provided by larger operators.
“Should [original equipment manufacturers] have a say in how many carriers are in a market?” Berry asked.
Wheeler countered that while the point was well taken, he felt the FCC had limited oversight into just how much sway the government agency had in how OEM’s designed and manufactured their devices.
The FCC earlier this year moved forward with ensuring interoperability across the lower 700 MHz spectrum band that would allow for devices to support A-, B- and C-Block spectrum licenses.
Check out the full interview and conversation:
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