Telecoms Praise Incentive Auction Framework

Broadcasters were crying foul at the Federal Communications Commission's incentive auction report and order, but telecom carriers were praising the move.

“The Commission has adopted a balanced set of rules that will raise the necessary funds for FirstNet and help our nation achieve its first, nationwide advanced public safety network," said Chip Pickering, CEO of Comptel. "In addition, this action will promote competition in the wireless marketplace and ensure a competitive bidding process where companies of all sizes will have an opportunity to acquire the valuable spectrum needed to supply American consumers with the broadband mobile services they desire."

With AT&T committed to participating in the auction, and Verizon likely to step up as well, there is a better chance that the FCC will have enough money to compensate broadcasters who give up spectrum, pay for FirstNet, the interoperable broadband first-responder network, pay for e-911 and some R&D, and have billions left over to pay down debt, all envisioned by Congress when it authorized the auction.