A chunk of the electromagnetic spectrum is opening up, and everyone wants a piece

In January 2008, a 60MHz band within the 700MHz range, currently reserved for analog television signals, will be auctioned off by the FCC to the highest bidder. Consumer advocates are calling for an open-access policy, noting that the availability of this spectrum has the potential to allow nationwide wireless broadband access. It’s a stance supported by at least one of the five FCC commissioners, as well as Google, which has pledged to bid at least $4.6 billion if the FCC commits to keeping the spectrum impartial to specific software and devices. Verizon, on the other hand, is opposed to such regulation, preferring, naturally, that the market sort things out. AT&T supports keeping 22MHz of the spectrum open to all, but, of course, has its own ideas about what to do with the rest.