Editor’s Note: RCR Wireless News has made many questionable decisions over the years. One of which is agreeing to let a long-time industry observer provide commentary on what is chapping his hide across the wireless industry. His name is Hunter Gates. We call him the Mobile Martyr. We also attempt to make this column suitable for most to read, but despite our best efforts still received a “PG-13” rating. You have been warned.
The Reverend Ian Paisley of the Democratic Unionist Party in Ireland once famously suggested that the Pope was the anti-Christ. Nice mouth. I bring this up partly because the firebrand of Northern Ireland passed away last month and I’m feeling nostalgic, but also because, while his suggestion may have been a little overzealous, I can understand the sentiment. No, not the Pope; I’ve got no beef there. My own personal ire is aimed at the Federal Communications Commission, a body that seems to stumble from one half-assed move to another. The FCC is my anti-Christ, or whatever the equivalent would be in the mobile world.
There’s a golden rule when looking at anything that the FCC is pushing: start with the premise that whatever they are suggesting is a dumb-shit idea. No, that’s not fair. Start from the position that it’s the dumbest, shittiest goddamn idea you’ve ever heard of; EVEN WORSE than the last idea they had. Probably 95% or more of the time that’s sound advice, which is really too scary for words when you think about it. The FCC wields such great power and yet is a pretty big screw up. No wonder we are doomed.
The FCC’s position on the net neutrality debate is a great example of the mess. Perhaps their intentions are valid and powered by good intentions (I say “perhaps” before the mail starts). But it feels like there’s no real belief behind their ideas. They are not at one with what they are promoting, and how the hell are the rest of us supposed to believe in it if that is the case? No Bubba, we’re not with you. The whole thing is a sticky wicket. There is not clear right and wrong, just a whole bunch of angles to be played out by a diverse bunch of participants. But hey, that’s politics for ya.
But it’s hardly their first dumb misstep. My favorites are often in the circus known as spectrum auctions, which provided many dropped-jaw moments in their sordid history. Did we really launch auctions that allowed mom and pop to own the airwaves, the net result of which was a stymied mobile expansion, while the Europeans surged ahead with more focus? Yes, we did. And I doubt we’re finished with potential spectrum auction screw-ups any time soon. Have they improved over the years? Sure, but the bar for that was really low. So low, that it was on the ground with no one holding it.
So why am I dragging up ancient history? Well, I did warn you I was feeling nostalgic Bubba. But we’re all very aware that history repeats itself, especially when we forget to look back at the lessons that we should have learned. There’s more spectrum to sell, and the new regime at the FCC seems to be more focused on what can run over the network than making sure the spectrum gets deployed quickly and efficiently. So, there’s plenty more entertainment to come folks; but perhaps not over an open Internet.
At the same time, Tom Wheeler and his FCC team are flexing their muscles in new areas. Are they really considering denying a broadcast station’s license because it used Washington’s NFL team name on the airwaves? Yup, apparently so. Is the name inappropriate? Hell yes, and it should be changed. But is this the role of the FCC? I don’t think so. Considering blocking a license for this reason is a serious breach of power to my mind and is another step toward a police state. But maybe it’s part of a policy to ride the wave of public sentiment. For years the FCC has been just another gray government body that entertained for all the wrong reasons. Now they are on our side. It’s almost like they want us to like them.
Hunter Gates is a long time follower of the mobile market. He wept when the original auctions took place, mourned the screw ups of the later ones and finally found peace by realizing that the whole thing is doomed, but that the carriers may have worked out how to survive it all anyway. Every day he is thankful that he gets a cell signal despite the FCC’s best intentions.
