BROWSING: Policy

FCC’s small-business bidding rule comes under fire: MetroPCS plans to bid in 700 MHz auction

The Federal Communications Commission's relaxation of the small-business bidding rule for the commercial-public safety D-Block license in the upcoming 700 MHz auction has come under another attack, this time by the same parties that have entangled the agency in auction-related litigation since last year.Council...

Satellite to sit out 700 MHz auction: Verizon Wireless questions DE rules

It is beginning to look increasingly unlikely that satellite operators will participate in the upcoming 700 MHz auction, partially due to rules guaranteeing the satellite industry a role in the deployment of a nationwide commercial-public safety broadband network in the band. The situation is...

What exactly does ‘open’ mean?: Carriers stake out positions amid uproar

Google Inc. and the upcoming 700 MHz auction seem to have sparked an "open" movement among U.S. carriers. Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility have been preaching their new "open" message from the public pulpit, and the mainstream press has embraced the carriers' new mantras,...

700 MHz: Clearwire, Sprint Nextel out; Leap, VZW, others in: FCC set to release full bidder list

The identities of likely 700 MHz bidders continue to emerge little by little as the Federal Communications Commission gears up to release a complete list of applicants in advance of the auction's Jan. 24 start date.Clearwire Corp. became the latest company to the show...

Verizon Wireless to join Google’s Android effort: No. 2 carrier continues pursuit of ‘open’

One feather, two caps. Verizon Wireless' CEO Lowell McAdam told BusinessWeek, in a story published today, that the carrier would join Google Inc.'s open-source effort known as Android.The move gives Verizon Wireless an additional PR boost in its well-publicized pursuit of all things "open,"...

Cable giant Cox throws hat in 700 MHz auction ring: Comcast, Time Warner Cable remain on sidelines

Cox Communications Inc. said it will bid on wireless licenses when the 700 MHz auction kicks off Jan. 24, but two other cable TV giants in a wireless joint venture with Cox and others indicated they would sit this one out. "I can confirm...

Qualcomm pounces on 700 MHz opportunity

In anticipation of possible industry-changing outcomes in next year's 700 MHz spectrum auction, Qualcomm Inc. announced its CDMA2000 and W-CDMA product lines would be available for devices that run on the highly-anticipated spectrum band.Qualcomm said that a new chip it developed would support the...

Promises of more device choices: Details likely after 700 MHz auction

VERIZON WIRELESS' DECLARATION LAST WEEK that "any application, any device" will run on its network next year was clearly an overstatement, though executives acknowledged later that itsCDMA network allows only CDMA-based devices. The juxtaposition of overstatement and subsequent qualification in a way reflected many...

VZW’s open access plans fail to dissuade Google’s auction aims

THE $4.6 BILLION QUESTION has been answered. Google Inc. is in. The Internet search engine giant said it will participate-alone-in the 700 MHz auction set to begin Jan. 24."We believe it's important to put our money where our principles are," said Eric Schmidt, chairman...

Google puts ‘money where principles are,’ says it will bid in 700 MHz auction: Search giant looks at open-access C Block

Google Inc. is in! The Internet search engine giant said it will participate-alone-in the 700 MHz auction set to begin Jan. 24."We believe it's important to put our money where our principles are," said Eric Schmidt, chairman and CEO of Google. "Consumers deserve more...

Verizon grabs ‘high ground’ with promise of greater device choice: Final impact still unclear

Verizon Wireless' declaration this morning that "any application, any device" will run on its network next year is clearly an overstatement-Verizon's CDMA network allows only CDMA-based devices, in use by 60% of subscribers in the United States market, but only 20% of the global...

Lawmakers, Google, Skype applaud Verizon Wireless decision, others more cautious

Verizon Wireless' open platform announcement was met with a mix of optimism and skepticism by parties at the forefront of a campaign to persuade the Federal Communications Commission to mandate that mobile-phone carriers allow third-party devices and applications on their networks. "We think this...

Frontline seeks brief delay on filing deadlines for 700 MHz auction

Frontline Wireless L.L.C. asked the Federal Communications Commission to briefly delay 700 MHz short-form application and upfront payment deadlines, pointing to new domestic and international wireless policy developments that have a bearing on the upcoming auction.The deadlines for filing short-form applications and submitting upfront...

Public Safety Spectrum Trust tapped by FCC to partner with D-Block winner

The Federal Communications Commission selected the Public Safety Spectrum Trust Corp. as the licensee that will team up with the winning bidder of the commercial D-Block spectrum license in the upcoming 700 MHz auction to deploy a dual-use wireless broadband network. "We are...

FCC relaxes requirements for public-safety spectrum

THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION relaxed the small-business bidding rule for the 700 MHz national commercial/public-safety block, but the agency cannot seem to shake lingering legal challenges that have the potential to disrupt the upcoming auction-as well as last year's sale of advanced wireless services...

FCC to allow wholesaling of D block spectrum: Decision seen as victory for Frontline

The Federal Communications Commission relaxed the small-business bidding rule for the national commercial/public-safety license up for grabs in the upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction. The ruling is major victory for startup Frontline Wireless L.L.C., which has expressed strong interest in pursuing the D block...

700 MHz band to be used for broadband worldwide

The United States teamed with neighboring countries to get the 700 MHz band identified for wireless broadband services in the Americas and major markets in Asia at the close of the World Radiocommunication Conference in Geneva, effectively setting the foundation for a global...

The Week in Review

Welcome to our Friday feature, Week in Review. Every Friday, RCR Wireless News runs through the major events of the past week, outlining what happened and speculating on what to look for in the coming weeks, months and years. Check below for news about...

Antennas: Where the rubber meets the road: Handset market demands low-cost volumes, sophisticated innovation

You've undoubtedly noticed, with pleasure, that the telescoping, whip antenna of yore has long ago disappeared inside the increasingly sleek device you slip into your pocket. Technology is supposed to be invisible. Out-of-sight, out-of-mind is fine for the consumer, blissfully unaware of the complexity...

FCC set to rule on MSS’ terrestrial plans: Decision could bolster sagging sector

Federal regulators appear poised to take actions that could enable Globalstar Inc. to integrate terrestrial wireless facilities in most of its mobile satellite service frequencies and allow Iridium Satellite L.L.C. to share more of Globalstar's MSS frequencies, possible outcomes that could bolster both companies-as...

Group seeks feedback on public-safety requirements at 700 MHz

The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council is seeking feedback by Friday to aid the development of the 700 MHz public-safety broadband statement of requirements. The Public Safety Spectrum Trust tasked the job to the broadband working group of the NPSTC Technology Committee. The trust,...

CTIA takes up 700 MHz challenge: Industry association moves in after VZW withdraws appeal

LITIGATION SURROUNDING RULES for auction-bound 700 MHz wireless licenses took an unexpected turn last week.Verizon Wireless filed to withdraw its appeal of the Federal Communications Commission's 700 MHz open-access rule, only to have cellphone industry trade association CTIA immediately fill the void by challenging...

Smooth sailing in rough seas: McAdam keeps VZW on course

For Verizon Wireless and its recently installed chief, Lowell McAdam, life seems great. Customer growth remains near the top, customer churn remains nearly invisible and the carrier recently unveiled new devices targeting fast-growing demographics as well as a certain "fruity" competitor.Of course, not all...

CTIA replaces VZW in challenging open access: Trade group ‘does not seek to delay’ auction

Litigation surrounding rules for the Jan. 24-scheduled 700 MHz auction has taken a sudden turn. Verizon Wireless filed to withdraw its appeal of the Federal Communications Commission's 700 MHz open-access rule, only to have cellphone association CTIA immediately fill the void by challenging the...