In our last episode the FCC 'compromised' with Google's open access suggestions. Verizon did not like that...they are lobbying for some pretty absolute barriers to entry into the market to provide services using this chunk of spectrum. This is because it is a threat to the existence of the current telecommunications market.
Under the FCC's rules, whoever wins the spectrum auction must allow consumers to use any device and any lawful application on their networks.
Seriously. Open Source VOIP is just the beginning. You could build the one necessary network in this spectrum...it's where television lives now.
After the FCC's decision , Verizon quickly made its position clear. "Imposing any such requirements in the competitive wireless market would reduce the revenue the government will receive from the spectrum auction and limit the introduction of new and innovative wireless services," the company said shortly after the announcement.
On an open network you'd be able to connect anywhere you can currently watch broadcast television, with anything with a common wireless network card. It would become impossible...literally...to stop the introduction of new and innovative services. They just wouldn't be tied to any particular carrier.
Verizon is suing the FCC to get rid of that compromise. They say the rules are “arbitrary and capricious, unsupported by substantial evidence and otherwise contrary to law.”
Our legacy telecom industry's reaction to this threat has, tactically, been pretty standard. Each step is initially refused. Then you 'compromise' on the rules. When you're suppose to start following the rules, take a step back from your compromise then recompromise. Lather, rinse, repeat,
Same tactic used to argue for the Iraq war. Same tactic used to salami-slice away at civil rights legislation.
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