hedge*hog*ging v. Interrupting conversations in an office environment
by poking your head over the top of the cube.
While there is plenty of coverage on the FCC’s 700 MHz auction rules throughout this issue, early betting around the RCR Wireless News’ world headquarters has this auction headed for disaster. Issues brought up regarding the requirements for the both the open-access spectrum and the public-safety spectrum seem to have both of those spectrum blocks doomed for few if any bidders. The other blocks seem more appealing, though the little amount of spectrum included seems to preclude any new entrants from entering the space. This leaves most betting that incumbent carriers will go after the unencumbered spectrum blocks to shore up their holdings; the open-access spectrum failing to meet its $4.6 billion minimum bid and to be re-auctioned without the open access requirements; and Frontline or Cyren Call finding few partners for the public-safety spectrum. If you have any other predictions, send them in.
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We have to give limited props to Prexar Mobile for stepping up and offering to take on Amp’d Mobile’s now homeless customers, despite the fact that half of them had no interest in paying their bills. The only question is how many of those wayward Amp’d Mobile subscribers will take Prexar up on its offer. There seems to be little overlap between what Amp’d Mobile brought to the market-feature-rich content and data-heavy applications-and what Prexar is offering-voice and basic text messaging. But, whatever. At least Prexar is still in business.
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Continuing the Amp’d Mobile fun, a company named VoodooVox was the big winner of an auction of Amp’d Mobile’s most valuable hard assets-namely office furniture. VoodooVox apparently paid $16,000 for a treasure trove of Amp’d Mobile furniture, including a collection of equipment from IKEA and office chairs that might have been sat in by Peter Adderton. The bounty even included three area rugs, which as we all know really tie a room together.
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Speaking of MVNOs still in business, all of the bad news surrounding the space can’t be playing well with Virgin Mobile USA, which is planning an IPO. Of course, for a company that has struggled itself financially, how much harm can a little more bad news be? Maybe Sir Richard Branson can sell one of his islands to help fund the U.S. MVNO.
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For those of us who grew up on a daily helping from fast-food (or as we prefer, good food, fast) pioneer Weinerschnitzel, this is great news. Cellfire, which claims to be the only nationwide mobile coupon service, said it was partnering with the California-based hot dog eatery to provide consumers with discounts at 165 Weinerschnitzel locations throughout So. Cal. Customer can download coupons for two-for-one chili cheese dogs and 99 cents for the always delicious chili cheese fries. Mmmmm, chili cheese fries.
