The FCC gave its final blessing to the $4.7 billion worth of licenses Verizon Wireless won at the 700 MHz auction, and it refused Google's request that the FCC impose stricter conditions when it comes to the open-access requirements that are attached to Verizon's licenses. Google petitioned the FCC in May to obtain a guarantee from Verizon Wireless promising the operator will honor its commitment to open access.
Despite now owning more than 95 megahertz of spectrum in 17 markets after winning the licenses, the FCC concluded Verizon's ownership of that much spectrum wouldn't be anti competitive. In addition, the FCC said it wouldn't count spectrum won at future auctions toward the 95-megahertz threshold.
For more:
- read RCR Wireless News [1]
Related articles:
How much spectrum [2] do AT&T and Verizon have?
Could the 700 MHz auction trigger spectrum caps? [3]
Google calls out Verizon Wireless' 'open' plans [4]
Links:
[1] http://www.rcrwireless.com/article/20081114/WIRELESS/811149987/1103/vzw-finally-gets-700-mhz-assets
[2] http://www.fiercebroadbandwireless.com/story/how-much-spectrum-do-att-and-verizon-have/2008-04-28
[3] http://www.fiercebroadbandwireless.com/story/could-the-700-mhz-auction-trigger-spectrum-caps/2008-04-21
[4] http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/spotlight-google-calls-out-verizon-wireless-open-plans/2008-05-06