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"SkypeFone" Decision? More Accessible Bandwidth? Pigs Flying?

Oh, what a time to be hanging around the FCC. Will they grasp the opportunity to embrace the future and unbottle the Genie that technologies embody? There is talk in the air, certainly.

In the spotlight: Skype's Libertelli describes an opportunity to mimic the historic Carterphone decision by the FCC that led to the opening up of "ATT's" telecom network in 1968 by permitting 3rd party devices to attach to the network as long as they caused no harm. "What would happen to the wireless cellular world if that were the case?" asks an executive at Skype, a company that knows a thing or two about challenging the status quo in telephony. For those of you not up on Skype, I urge you to check out this Wikipedia link, download the software on your laptop, buy a headset, and try it out yourself. It may well start a change in your own paradigm about telecommunications and new possibilities.

Democratic presidential contender John Edwards has apparently drunk the KoolAid when it comes to alternative uses for the 700 MHz spectrum that will come available when digital TV transitional deadlines come up. John Edwards' letter to the FCC, is highlighted in news articles here, here, and here. Before diving in, though, I recommend the novice check out this primer, 700 MHz Explained in 10 Steps on GigaOm, from 10 weeks ago.

Here's the letter, below.

Dear Chairman Martin:

The upcoming 700 megahertz spectrum auction presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape the next generation of American technology.

In recent years, the Internet has grown to touch everything and transform much of what it touches. It's not the answer to everything, but it can powerfully accelerate the best of America. It improves our democracy by making quiet voices loud, improves our economy by making small markets big, and improves opportunity by making unlikely dreams possible.

As you know, the Federal Communications Commission is now preparing to auction the 700 megahertz slice of the spectrum. This "beachfront" band is particularly well suited to wireless broadband because it has wide coverage and can easily pass through walls.

By setting bid and service rules that unleash the potential of smaller new entrants, you can transform information opportunity for people across America -- rural and urban, wealthy and not. As much as half of the spectrum should be set aside for wholesalers who can lease access to smaller start-ups, which has the potential to improve service to rural and underserved areas. Additionally, anyone winning rights to this valuable public resource should be required not to discriminate among data and services and to allow any device to be attached to their service. Finally, bidding should be anonymous to avoid collusion and retaliatory bids.

I urge you to seize this chance to transform the Internet and the future.

Sincerely,

John Edwards

It's a heady combination of events that promises potential for change and dialogue (dare we hope?). Asked about the potential for change just one year ago, I would have said "Pigs will fly before the FCC will lead us to innovation." I'm still skeptical that the FCC will show real leadership in this area.

But look what we have driving the debate: a) upcoming public comment period on a pending spectrum auction of 700 MHz "TV broadcast bands", which many feel may be the last significant chance for a while at putting more spectrum in the hands of more companies; b) an historic presidential election that will foster public debate, hopefully more on the topic of the Internet and the changing paradigms; and c) political turmoil and the chance for a sea change in political leadership, away from a conservative, pro-corporate mindset that has cast a long shadow over administration policy for years.

Here's the Battle of the Titans lining up: against a powerful corporate lobby that argues for a continuance of the status quo we have the seemingly inevitable march of technological change, which every month brings new possibilities to the table. I agree that current fixed and mobile telecommunications companies are very powerful, and I'm not betting against them. But I also acknowledge that technology changes are like the waves of the ocean, battering a sea wall. It takes a very strong dike to hold back those waves, and at some point, you just have a feeling the ocean will prevail.

Want to chime in with your own opniions? Now is the time to be heard. I recommend this website, Tom Evslin's Fractals of Change, for some good ideas on the issues and key information on how to comment.

Posted on June 03, 2007 at 09:03 AM

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