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by Auction 73, scheduled for January 24, 2008, will shake up the 700MHz frequency band for wireless communications. Contrary to how unimportant that sounds, frequency allocations determined by Auction 73 will affect, at a minimum, cellular digital telephones and a national broadband first responder network. Development of these two services will likely change the face of American communications options and improve the responsiveness and quality of service provided by local rescue units. For bidders, understanding the implications and potential of Auction 73 involves politics, licenses, technology and finances.
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2 Nerd-Its
Great Article! One minor clarification
Excellent article! I found it to be a very good synopsis of the issue and I will be referring friends and family to it so that they can get an idea of what I'm all excited about over the holidays.
One minor clarification I would make: In mentioning the Petition for Review filed by Verizon with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, you indicate that the "arbitrary, capricious, unsupported by substantial evidence . . ." language resembles AT&T's argument from Carterphone. this is entirely true, however the reason is that this language is the standard for a reviewing court to overrule an agency decision under the Administrative Procedure Act. See 5 U.S.C. Sec. 706. This a standard argument in any such appeal.
1 Nerd-It
Primary Premise or purpose is Wrong
"promote the development of new cellular networks and companies,"
"improve the availability, scope and quality of services offered by existing cellular networks,..."
There is no mention of anything relating to Cell Networks in the auction-why are we taking such a narrow view here?
In fact I would contend that the primary Carriers will use all of this new 700Mhz spectrum to prepare & or replace (upgrade) their TDM based Voice and Narrowband Data Networks for the emergence of the new ALL IP based LTE (4G) technology. It will no longer be a Cell Network as we know it today, but a True Broadband Wireleess Multi Media distribution network based on IP. Regardless of vendor hype and Carriers (testing) the new LTE products in 2009 these LTE based networks realistically will not be universally available until 2012-2013.
700Mhz and WiMAX is more realistic:
I would even venture that many small providers will use any license they win in their local markets (CMA) to deploy a WAN based on open standard Wireless Data Networks(in the 2009-2010 timeframe), using 700Mhz radio with features based on WiMAX protocols, that only provide IP based services, as in VoiceIP, Video and Data.
Other than the above points this was an excellent review.
Jim A. (aka Jacomo)
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I will be interested to see how that pans out for emergency frequencies. I just got into radio scanner with a Uniden BCD996T which allows me to listen to just about anything except encrypted traffic. There seem to be a number of nationwide EMS frequencies already on the UHF band so I'm not really sure what adding a 700Mhz is supposed to do. Driving between NJ and Maine shows that those allocations are all being used to some degree by paramedics and even airlift. Pretty cool stuff to listen to. All of the local towns seem to be serviced just fine on VHF for their respective ambulance corps.
The only thing I could see needing 700Mhz frequencies would be to add a national trunking network similar to the 800Mhz trunking that exists for many metropolitan areas. Although, to do it nationally would be quite the challenge to ensure synchronicity between locales.