10 Random Thoughts On 12-17-08

There's a Springfield, MA newspaper sports reporter by the name of Gary Brown who writes a weekly column titled "Hitting To All Fields". In the column he lists his random thoughts for the past week. I've always enjoyed Gary's writing and they say imitation is the best form of flattery..... If this format works - it may become a regular Wednesday thing for me:

Wondering who Obama will select as Kevin Martin's FCC chair replacement.

WHAT.... no Steve Jobs at MacWorld 2009 ?

And double WHAT.... no more Apple at MacWorld after 2009 ?

Wondering how those Walmart iPhones will sell.

Some are saying (myself included) broadband access is a human right. Others disagree.

Been hearing the term "social shopping" used this holiday season as if it is something new. Isn't it what we've always referred to as "word of mouth"?

Can the Patriots pull the playoffs off in the next couple of weeks?

It's been a disgusting political and financial week in our country - the rest of the world must be laughing pretty hard at us.

The Feb 18 Analog to Digital Mandated TV Conversion is looking like it might get messy for people who are still watching over-the-air. I'll be writing more on this soon.

Early this morning my blog passed the 100,000 visitor mark for 2008!!!

Happy Holidays and thanks for reading!

D6 Interview: Kevin Martin and Lowell McAdam on Communications Technologies in the United States

Yesterday at the Wall Street Journal D6 (All Things Digital #6) Conference, Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg interviewed FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam on a wide range of topics including network neutrality, broadband, infrastructure, universal connectivity, competitive technologies, open access, cell phone technologies and contracts, etc in the United States.

Two excellent interview videos (each a little over six minutes) are embedded below and are well worth watching/listening to.

Part 1 Video:



Part 2 Video:

700Mz Goldmine

The FCC will soon be auctioning off 62MHz of spectrum in the upper 700MHz band. Yesterday the FCC moved forward by approving some new rules that will give wireless users more choices in this country.The spectrum to be auctioned is being freed up based on a Congressional mandate as U.S. television broadcasters move from analog to digital broadcasts. There is an incredible amount of interest in this peice of spectrum because of its ability to be communicate over long distances and pass through walls and other obstructions.

Of the 62 MHz, 22 MHz will be considered "open access" spectrum with another 10MHz dedicated to public safety networks used by first responders - firefighters, police, etc.The "open access" rule was heavily debated and pushed hard by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and others at the FCC. Providing "open access" will allow consumers to use any device and software they want in the open access spectrum range.

It looks like Google is happy with the open content provision but Google was hoping another provision would be approved. This provision, if it had been approved, would require the spectrum licensee to sell network access at a wholesale rate to other service providers including direct competition. Google had dangled a minimum bid of $4.6 Billion which many (including Verizon and At&T) believe was an attempt by Google to keep the price down - basically low-ball the auction and picking up broadband spectrum at a bargain price. Kevin Martin was especially concerned this would seriously lower the bidding price and the provision was not included in the rules. As a result, it does not look like Google will participate in the auction at this time.

The spectrum will be auctioned off no later that January 28. 2008 and I've read auction predictions of anywhere from $10 Billion to $30 Billion will be bid for the spectrum.

Regardless of who gets it and how much money is spent by the licensee - in the end it will mean more choice, bandwidth and lower cost to the consumer.