WASHINGTON-In a split decision, the Federal Communications Commission changed its air-to-ground service rules in a way that promises to make no one happy. By going with a combinatorial bidding approach, the FCC hopes there will be competition for ATG services.
The agency ruled that no one entity will be allowed to control all four megahertz of ATG spectrum. Democrats on the panel were not pleased, believing that by allowing one entity to control three of the four megahertz, competition for ATG broadband services will not develop.
“The potential monopolist has far more to gain and will pay a premium. This remainder licensee is very unlikely to provide the kind of competition the FCC desires,” said FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, calling the one-megahertz license an orphan that may only be able to provide voice service.
