The ever colorful tweets from T-Mobile CEO John Legere made for interesting reading after his DC tour last week in support of T-Mobile’s quest to expand the 600 MHz spectrum reserve. T-Mobile has long alleged that an expanded reserve is essential to competition in rural America. But, the fact is that the reserve framework will…
Read More T-Mobile’s Magenta HerringJoan Marsh Posts
Old Whine in New Bottles
A group of competitive carriers led by Sprint and T-Mobile have formed a new coalition but, based on the group’s opening advocacy salvo, I don’t expect much in the way of any new or insightful arguments. For example, they have revived the old myth that AT&T and Verizon were awarded half of their low band…
Read More Old Whine in New BottlesThe White Space Black Hole
In 2008, in the wake of the 700 MHz auction, Google held a conference call to reveal its plans for “Wi-Fi on steroids” – a broadband wireless service to be delivered coast to coast via unlicensed white space devices, all in time for the 2009 Christmas holiday. I remember reading a blog comment around that…
Read More The White Space Black HoleThe Devil is in the Details
On Friday, we filed reply comments on the FCC’s proposed procedures for the 600 MHz incentive auction. This public notice (PN) gets down to the nuts and bolts of how the auction will be run and, in many ways, the decisions made here will be some of the most important to date. When the FCC…
Read More The Devil is in the DetailsAuction 97 – More Lessons For Future Auctions
Additional reactions to Auction 97 are emerging with everyone putting their own spin on the results. First, in a blog, T-Mobile offered its view, calling the auction a disaster for U.S. consumers. Hard to figure how they can reach that result. The auction reallocated 50 MHz of valuable paired spectrum to the wireless industry –…
Read More Auction 97 – More Lessons For Future AuctionsLessons from Auction 97 For Future Auctions
The quiet period on Auction 97 lifted last Friday opening the period of dialogue around the most successful – and surprising – auction in the history of the FCC. Much has already been written on the unexpected valuations and revenue raised. I want to turn to some of the lessons to be learned from this…
Read More Lessons from Auction 97 For Future AuctionsIf T-Mobile has a Beef, It Should File a Complaint
A few weeks ago, a group of advocates calling themselves “T-Mobile Petition Supporters” filed an ex parte purporting to show that the Commission should grant T-Mobile’s data roaming petition. T-Mobile itself then weighed in with yet another letter in the record. Neither filing offers anything new of substance, much less provides any basis to grant T-Mobile’s…
Read More If T-Mobile has a Beef, It Should File a ComplaintInvesting in Regulation Rather than Networks
In the last couple weeks, in a series of meetings with the FCC, T-Mobile continued its on-going campaign for rate regulation of roaming services. T-Mobile frames its argument as a request for clarification. But make no mistake – T-Mobile is not seeking a clarification of the Commission’s 2011 Data Roaming Rules. It is instead seeking…
Read More Investing in Regulation Rather than NetworksAccelerating Broadband, Part II
A couple months ago, the FCC unanimously adopted an order streamlining the rules for tower marking and lighting. That was the first in a series of Wireless Bureau items designed to remove regulatory obstacles to clear the way for more efficient broadband deployment. The Bureau is now moving forward with an even more ambitious effort to rationalize…
Read More Accelerating Broadband, Part IIInterference on the Line
In May, the FCC issued a comprehensive incentive auction framework order that represented a substantial step toward a successful auction. While the order resolved many open issues, it also set the stage for a series of new ones and the published list of follow-on proceedings made clear that significant work remains to be done. Of…
Read More Interference on the Line