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OVERNIGHT TECH: Wireless industry wants airwaves auctioned, not shared
THE LEDE: A top lobbyist for the wireless industry told The Hill on Tuesday that the federal government should auction, rather than share, as much spectrum as possible.
"We understand that sharing is inevitable, but the balance really needs to lean more towards clearing rather than sharing," said Chris Guttman-McCabe, vice president of regulatory affairs for CTIA - The Wireless Association.
The move would help to alleviate the strain on wireless networks caused by the growing popularity of data-hungry smartphones and tablet computers.
But according to the NTIA's report, it is not feasible to move all of the government users out of the spectrum bands. More than 20 federal agencies currently rely on the spectrum for uses including law enforcement surveillance, military communications, air combat training and precision-guided bombs.
The NTIA said the federal and commercial users will have to share some of the spectrum.
Guttman-McCabe argued that the cost of clearing some federal devices from the spectrum would "pale in comparison" to the economic boost and auction revenue of selling the spectrum to wireless companies.
But Harold Feld, legal director for consumer group Public Knowledge, praised the NTIA report for emphasizing spectrum-sharing.
"The report's recommendation to rely on policies such as spectrum sharing and enhanced efficiency for Federal spectrum users and the accompanying technical innovations marks the first step toward a sustainable wireless future. We hope this approach will be used in the future as more Federal spectrum is identified as a resource to be shared with the public," Feld said.
"The time has passed to consider spectrum solely as a source of revenue. Today's action places the emphasis where it should be — on getting more spectrum to the public for greater use while meeting Federal needs, regardless of the budget consequences. Continuing down the path that considers spectrum auction as the main vehicle for spectrum policy will only add needless delay to freeing spectrum for the public."
House debates overhauling the FCC: The House on Tuesday afternoon was poised to pass H.R. 3309, the FCC Process Reform Act, which would overhaul how the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) operates.
The bill, authored by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), would require the FCC to demonstrate the necessity of new regulations, restrict the types of conditions the agency could impose on corporate mergers and require the agency to set binding timelines for its proceedings.
Debating on the House floor, Walden said the bill would increase transparency and accountability and provide certainty for businesses. He said the legislation would require the FCC to use the same kind of open process that the House used to draft the bill.
But Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) said the bill would "gut" the FCC and prevent it from protecting consumers.
The White House came out against the bill on Monday and the Senate has no plans to take it up.
The House was still voting on the bill at press time for Overnight Tech. Check back at Hillicon Valley for coverage of the bill.
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The House sent a bill to help start-up companies, called the JOBS Act, to the president's desk.
T-Mobile filed comments with the FCC opposing Verizon's deal with cable companies.
Reps. Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the Secure It Act, a GOP-backed cybersecurity bill, in the House.
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