Before the
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20554

In the matter of

Service Rules for the 698-746,
747-762, and 777-792 MHZ Bands, WT Docket No. 06-150

Implementing a Nationwide, Broadband,
Interoperable Public Safety Network in the
700 MHZ Band, PS Docket No. 06-229

Implementation of the Commercial Spectrum
Enhancement Act and Modernization of the
Commission’s Competitive Bidding Rules
and Procedures , WT Docket No. 05-211

Development of Operational, Technical, and 
Spectrum Requirements for Meeting Federal,
State and Local Public Safety Communications
Requirements Through 2010, WT Docket No. 96-86

EX PARTE COMMENTS OF THE
AD HOC PUBLIC INTEREST SPECTRUM COALITION

Media Access Project, on behalf of Consumers Union, Consumer Federation of America, Free Press, New America Foundation and Public Knowledge (collectively referred to here as the “Public Interest Spectrum Coalition” or “PISC”), files these ex parte comments addressing the proposal submitted by Frontline, the proposed Band Optimization Plan, and auction and service rules needed to ensure that this auction of unique and highly valuable spectrum will maximize the likelihood of competitive entry in broadband wireless that protects public safety, increases opportunities for minority and women owned businesses, and promotes broadband access by all Americans. 

SUMMARY

The auction of licenses in the 700 MHz band is a unique and critical opportunity to bring broadband to American consumers and open an avenue for competitive broadband providers. It is without question the best opportunity to open a legitimate “third pipe” for consumer broadband connectivity—long a goal of the Commission. Given the state of the market failure in US broadband and our unenviable position relative to international performance in broadband connections, a pro-competitive policy in the 700 MHz auction is imperative.

The undersigned public interest groups urge the FCC to adopt our recommendations in order to maximize the opportunities for new, competitive entrants and promote greater broadband access in the United States. We recommend that the FCC require that a portion of the auctioned licenses be subject to a service condition of open access.  This will create a competitive retail market for wireless broadband services in a national marketplace. It will bring innovative, competitive providers into the market that would otherwise never appear.

To view the entire document, please see the PDF documents linked below.