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Rural Telecoms Also Petition FCC to Deny Verizon More Spectrum

Feb 22, 2012, 12:42 PM by Eric M. Zeman
updated Feb 22, 2012, 12:45 PM

The Rural Telecommunications Group, Rural Cellular Association, the Media Access Project, and Public Knowledge today joined T-Mobile USA by filing a petition with the Federal Communications Commission asking the government body to prevent Verizon Wireless from acquiring spectrum assets from cable companies. Verizon is hoping to purchase blocks of 700MHz and AWS spectrum for $3.6 billion from Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, and Cox Communications. The RTG accuses Verizon Wireless of "systematically attempting to corner the market for commercial mobile wireless spectrum while simultaneously stripping existing and potential competitors of all their spectrum holdings. This practice is anticompetitive and a violation of antitrust law and should result in the FCC's denial of all of the applications filed by Verizon Wireless." The RTG, RCCA and others also accused Verizon Wireless of violating the Communications Act of 1934 and the Sherman Antitrust Act.

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Jellz

Feb 22, 2012, 1:00 PM

"Communications Act of 1934"

Because a piece of legislation almost 80 years old definitely applies to the current situation with telecommunications companies.

dlmjr

Jellz said:
Because a piece of legislation almost 80 years old definitely applies to the current situation with telecommunications companies.

Actually it is relevant...

It's stated purpose:

"regulating interst...
(continues)

...

Tofuchong

Hahahaha you're hilarious. Just look at the United States' constitution.

I Plead the 3rd ! Wait... does anybody here even know what the 3rd amendment is? Bet not...

...

mycool

Feb 22, 2012, 1:16 PM

Let's not nitpick...

Point is... No carrier, Verizon Wireless included, should be able to horde massive amounts of spectrum as a way to control the market.

Spectrum is a limited resource, so who has access to it must be carefully examined and scrutinized.

Jarahawk

Especially when they have shown no inclination to use the AWS spectrum which they already own.

dlmjr

Feb 22, 2012, 1:05 PM

Stripping?

"while simultaneously stripping existing and potential competitors"

Maybe it's just me, but how is Verison 'stripping' existing and potential competitors of spectrum?

Wouldn't you have to own the spectrum before it could be stripped from you?

I could maybe see using deny... as in Verison is denying competitors the ability to acquire spectrum....

But to put the complaint in plain words...

We, the Rural Telecoms, don't have the means to acquire additional spectrum, so we want the FCC to deny that process to anyone else.

Versed

Nobody is denying anything, what these carriers want is a free ride, and closed bidding for themselves.

Jarahawk

Verizon has no use for AWS spectrum. They are making a power play to keep T-Mobile or anyone else from acquiring it. Choking the life out of the competition is anti-competitive. What is with people?

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