Thanks, Woolman Penn:
The following article details yet another FCC auction of Ether/Spectrum.
http://www.technologyreview.com/communications/39773/?p1=A3
The youngsters here may not recall but for many decades since the Telecommunications act of 1934 the ether was, in an almost holy sense, regarded as a public commonwealth, like Yellowstone. Licences to use a portion of ether were granted for limited time periods and subject to the stipulation that the licensed ether be used "in the public interest."
Now spectrum is auctioned off to the highest bidder, in perpetuity, for short term gains to the U.S. Treasury. Essentially multinational corporations are buying up spectrum for paltry sums that Congress spends in a matter of days.
Why are these major corporations allowed to plunk down cash to essentially purchase Spectrum/Yellowstone? Their argument is that they have to make tremendous investments in infrastructure that is dedicated to those specific frequencies.
There is no stronger argument for nationalizing the wireless telecommunications infrastructure. With a nationalized telecommunications infrastructure we could let the engineers determine one highest quality/speed/reliability standard and provide it at the lowest cost to the most people. That would be certain to spurn innovation among the masses rather than pouring all of our wireless profits into the duopoly of Verizon and AT&T who make minimal investments in their proprietary systems based upon their profit motives rather than what is actually the best world beating technology.
Ironically, citizens licensed as Amateur Radio Operators who do provide services in the public interest, share spectrum that remains in the commonwealth, for now. The greedy telecommunications industry would love to purchase that spectrum as well.
Verizon, AT&T, and the NAB are among the very largest contributors to campaign funds, of both parties, and lobbyists. They succeed not because they offer the best technology but because the rules have recently (Telecommunications Act of 1996) been rewritten to perpetuate their everlasting dominance.
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