Ex-FBI boss backs wireless company
p2pnet news | wireless:- Ex-FBI boss Louis Freeh has launched himself into the wireless business.
He, “threw his support behind” start-up Frontline Wireless that wants to build a national network shared with commercial and public safety users, says Reuters.
“This auction is just the last chance in my time to see some effective plan (for a wireless network for public safety agencies) be implemented,” Freeh says, according to the story.
It goes on:
He is the latest of several former government officials recruited by Frontline in an effort to bolster its proposal for the 700-megahertz band airwaves auction. Also behind Frontline are two former FCC chairmen, Reed Hundt and Mark Fowler.
Freeh’s addition to the group comes at a time when potential bidders and consumer groups are waging a fierce lobbying campaign directed at the FCC, which is preparing to issue key rules that will govern the auction. The agency is expected to hold the auction later this year.
Also at issue in the auction are “open platform” rules sought by Frontline, some consumer groups and Google, “which has been studying whether to take part in the auction,” adds Reuters.
There’s a “critical need” for emergency response agencies to better communicate, PC World has Freeh saying. “A private sector fix is exactly what’s needed,.”
The former FBI director sayshe’s been calling for a national, interoperable public safety network since the early 1980s, but the U.S. government hasn’t made it happen, says the story.
Auctioned off to the highest bidders
“Despite the lack of Canadian public awareness, the issue has an enormous impact on telecommunications since it plays a pivotal role in determining wireless competition,” said Ottawa law professor recently, continuing:
Given its importance, Canadian telecommunications companies have been waging an expensive lobbying campaign to convince Ottawa to adopt their preferred approach on the spectrum auction (a cynic might say that if the companies worked as hard trying to attract new customers as they do trying to stop new competition, the Canadian wireless landscape would be a better place).
The three incumbent wireless providers (Bell, Telus, and Rogers) along with some business groups stand on one side, calling for an ‘open auction’ that would involve minimal pre-conditions and see the available spectrum auctioned off to the highest bidders. These groups argue that the Canadian wireless market is already competitive and that the government should avoid setting aside spectrum for new providers.
Major cable companies (Shaw, Quebecor, Cogeco) and smaller telecom companies (MTS Allstream, Toronto Hydro Telecom) provide the alternate perspective. They are seeking a ’set-aside’ that would reserve spectrum for new entrants.
These companies point to data that places Canada well below other developed countries on metrics such as the number of wireless subscribers, pricing, and the introduction of innovative services. They also note that Canadian spectrum auctions are not truly open, since foreign ownership restrictions exclude many potential bidders.
He adds:
“Viewed through the lens of planned spectrum use, the choice boils down to the chance for increased Canadian competition through a set-aside or an open auction that offers little in the way of change.”
Also See:
Reuters – Former FBI chief joins wireless auction group, July 11, 2007
PC World – Former FBI director endorses Frontline spectrum plan, July 12, 2007
an enormous impact – Spectrum WiFi auction: the star, June 19, 2007
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