Republican lawmakers say Google "gamed" 700Mhz auction
By Nilay Patel 
posted Apr 16th 2008 4:34PM
posted Apr 16th 2008 4:34PM
Google's plan in the 700MHz auction drama was never much of a secret: it was always assumed that the search giant would bid enough to trigger the open-access provisions, but wasn't really interested in winning, and sure enough, the company confirmed that strategy when the bidding wrapped up. Of course, news travels slow in our nation's capital, and word of Google's dastardly plan to make sure the FCC's open-access rules were triggered is apparently shocking news to a handful of Republicans, who characterized it as "gaming the system," and asked FCC chairman Kevin Martin if the agency had been "duped." Newsflash to Reps. Fred Upton (R-Mich), Cliff Stearns (R-Fla) and John Shimkus (R-Ill): the FCC, Google, and Verizon argued about this for months and analysts had a field day, remember? And then Verizon gave up the lawsuits, went crazy on the open tip, and won the auction anyway. Of course, if Verizon hadn't won, Google would have had to make good on that $4.6B bid, which isn't exactly chump change. So, who gamed what? If anything, the FCC's coffers got a little fatter than they would have otherwise, and we're pretty certain consumers will benefit from open-access, so, uh, you guys want to stop wrecking the party now? Cool.[Thanks, Scott]
I have nothing to base this assumption on, but it sounds like some Verizon lobbyists are pissed that they have to open up the spectrum. muahahah!
I highly doubt that as VZW knew full well Google's intentions to trigger open access well before the auction anways. VZW always got off with the most spectrum winnings and the lowest $$ to Mhz of any other winners. Trust, VZW is happy as hell.
I could swear AT&T bought a company with 700Mhz spectrum before the auction, at a cheaper price
Phonescoop has a really good article on the 700mhz auction and even including AT&T's Aloha purchase VZW still got more $$ for the Mhz than AT&T and has significantly more spectrum.
But as for these dumbass politicians who call themselves republicans whining about this, they are just neocon douche bags looking for something to piss and moan about regardless of lobbyist pressure, but I doubt any "official" action will be taken at all.
I associate with neither democrat or republican as both parties are full of lies, empty promises, and corruption. Such is the nature of American politics these days.
Nilay is not a liberal or anything wow. Typical lawyer.
actually I think he's being reasonable and prudent with what he said. He's right, this stuff has been in the news for a while now - so the politicians need to stop acting suprised.
Verizon has to open it up, and they're not happy.
Bring in big corporate republicans to protect their buddies in the hard hats and gray jackets asking "can you hear me now"
They just want a crack at Google's bank account..
See my reply above.
Trust me, VZW couldn't be happier.
Man, the big business party gets all freaky when big business does what big business does. I love it when that happens.
So whats this all about? The Gov wants to penilize Google and just take some money from them to finance the war fro another 3 months?
So Verizon wants to punish Google for playing by the rules that were set forth before the auction?
Granted, Google lobbied hard for these rules, in the end it will be better for consumers.
Where does it say that? Oh that's right, IT DOESN'T.
Seriously, I wonder if some people here actually read before they start posting..
With that being said, before anyone went into the Auction, they knew the 700MHz would have to be open access..Google, ATT, Spring, VZW .So why would Verizon be upset about having to open it up the 700 Mhz when they knew going into it that it would HAVE to be open access???
Sprint rather....