FCC Chairman: iPhone bandwidth will require spectrum changes
Bandwidth-heavy mobile devices like Apple's iPhone will require new policies because of a coming "spectrum gap," the U.S. Federal Communications Commission chairman said in a new interview.
In a discussion with Business Week, Julius Genachowski said all signs point to there being not enough spectrum available for wireless services in the future. As a result, the FCC will have to explore alternative methods to accommodate devices like the iPhone.
"We've been spending time on long-term spectrum policy because the data suggest we face a spectrum gap," he said. "The demands that are being created by the iPhone and other mobile broadband technologies threaten to outstrip the amount of spectrum available for commercial mobile, and it's important for the country that we get long-term planning right because it takes time to identify spectrum and put it on the market. We're looking at potential innovations in spectrum policy, such as secondary licensing for spectrum, and other, more creative ideas for unlicensed spectrum."
Genachowski is a strong proponent of Net neutrality and mobile devices like the iPhone. In the past, he has specifically cited the iPhone as a "path-breaking" device that has "enabled millions of us to carry the Internet in our pockets and purses."
Under Genachowski's direction, the FCC voted unanimously on Oct. 22 to pursue his proposed six principles of freedom for Net neutrality. They are:
Freedom to access legal content
Freedom to use applications of the users' choice
Freedom to attach personal devices to connections in users' homes
Freedom to obtain service plan information
Non-discrimination: Broadband providers cannot discriminate against particular Internet content or applications
Transparency: Providers must be transparent about network management practices
The FCC chairman also told BusinessWeek that he is an avid iPhone user. During his interview, he charged his handset and discussed his favorite app, an astronomy application called Star Walk. Genachowski said he has used it to teach his 5-year-old daughter.
Under Genachowski's watch, the FCC has taken an active role in the wireless market. Under pressure from the government, AT&T agreed to allow Voice over IP calls via its 3G network. It also inquired over the non-acceptance of the Google Voice application in the App Store.
The FCC has also signaled that it wants to increase wireless carrier competition, and increase the availability of exclusive smartphones like the iPhone in rural markets where providers like AT&T do not offer service.
Earlier this month, AT&T and a group of U.S. lawmakers asked the FCC to investigate Google Voice for blocking calls to rural areas. The telephony service currently has the ability to block calls to rural areas where it is more expensive to connect. Federal law prohibits traditional U.S. carriers, like AT&T, from blocking such calls.
In a discussion with Business Week, Julius Genachowski said all signs point to there being not enough spectrum available for wireless services in the future. As a result, the FCC will have to explore alternative methods to accommodate devices like the iPhone.
"We've been spending time on long-term spectrum policy because the data suggest we face a spectrum gap," he said. "The demands that are being created by the iPhone and other mobile broadband technologies threaten to outstrip the amount of spectrum available for commercial mobile, and it's important for the country that we get long-term planning right because it takes time to identify spectrum and put it on the market. We're looking at potential innovations in spectrum policy, such as secondary licensing for spectrum, and other, more creative ideas for unlicensed spectrum."
Genachowski is a strong proponent of Net neutrality and mobile devices like the iPhone. In the past, he has specifically cited the iPhone as a "path-breaking" device that has "enabled millions of us to carry the Internet in our pockets and purses."
Under Genachowski's direction, the FCC voted unanimously on Oct. 22 to pursue his proposed six principles of freedom for Net neutrality. They are:
Freedom to access legal content
Freedom to use applications of the users' choice
Freedom to attach personal devices to connections in users' homes
Freedom to obtain service plan information
Non-discrimination: Broadband providers cannot discriminate against particular Internet content or applications
Transparency: Providers must be transparent about network management practices
The FCC chairman also told BusinessWeek that he is an avid iPhone user. During his interview, he charged his handset and discussed his favorite app, an astronomy application called Star Walk. Genachowski said he has used it to teach his 5-year-old daughter.
Under Genachowski's watch, the FCC has taken an active role in the wireless market. Under pressure from the government, AT&T agreed to allow Voice over IP calls via its 3G network. It also inquired over the non-acceptance of the Google Voice application in the App Store.
The FCC has also signaled that it wants to increase wireless carrier competition, and increase the availability of exclusive smartphones like the iPhone in rural markets where providers like AT&T do not offer service.
Earlier this month, AT&T and a group of U.S. lawmakers asked the FCC to investigate Google Voice for blocking calls to rural areas. The telephony service currently has the ability to block calls to rural areas where it is more expensive to connect. Federal law prohibits traditional U.S. carriers, like AT&T, from blocking such calls.
Comments
Under Genachowski's direction, the FCC voted unanimously on Oct. 22 to pursue his proposed six principles of freedom for Net neutrality. They are:
Freedom to access legal content
Freedom to use applications of the users' choice
Freedom to attach personal devices to connections in users' homes
Freedom to obtain service plan information
Non-discrimination: Broadband providers cannot discriminate against particular Internet content or applications
Transparency: Providers must be transparent about network management practices
It's nice to see this set out here. Lots of people seem to equate Net Neutrality with unlimited usage at a particular bandwidth, which is just wrong and always frustrating to read. In particular people seem to think that Net Neutrality is going to save their iPhone unlimited data plans, which it won't.
I'd rather see people access heavy stuff like movies etc by wire ( not even home wi-fi ) and synch to their mobile devices than fill the air with it.
No kidding! The iPhone changed the whole game - including the carrier game.
The article is a bit slanted towards the iPhone. This is what was really said.
http://www.twice.com/article/357112-...ectrum_Gap.php
"We are fast entering a world where mass-market mobile devices consume thousands of megabytes each month," he said in a speech to attendees. "So we must ask: What happens when every mobile user has an iPhone, a Palm Pre, a Blackberry Tour or whatever the next device is? What happens when we quadruple the number of subscribers with mobile broadband on their laptops or netbooks?"
What about those frequencies left from TV's move to HD?
THe 700mhz spectrum was sold in block for a total bid of 19.5 billion. Clearly ATT, Verizon and Google were bidders. I'm not sure if its been annouced who aquired which blocks. The amount of 19.5 billion was close to twice as much as the FCC expected.
THe 700mhz spectrum was sold in block for a total bid of 19.5 billion. Clearly ATT, Verizon and Google were bidders. I'm not sure if its been annouced who aquired which blocks. The amount of 19.5 billion was close to twice as much as the FCC expected.
Thanks, I missed that. I half expected Apple to bid to to be honest! I guess they don't want to get into that business. I hope it was ATT that got it, just being selfish
Under Genachowski's direction, the FCC voted unanimously on Oct. 22 to pursue his proposed six principles of freedom for Net neutrality. They are:
Freedom to access legal content
Freedom to use applications of the users' choice
Freedom to attach personal devices to connections in users' homes
Freedom to obtain service plan information
Non-discrimination: Broadband providers cannot discriminate against particular Internet content or applications
Transparency: Providers must be transparent about network management practices
the freedom to access legal content is key, as the internet becomes used even more, it is important to NOT allow people to fileshare illegal content like kiddie porn and yes... pirated content like music, movies and tv.
In France, it is becoming law that people who are proven to be illegally filesharing, get sent letters and basically it is 3x your out. there is not any "right" to broadband in France. now, broadband ends up being revoked by those who steal and share illegally.
that said. this type of rational is finally coming to the USA. at least on the Govt side. I wonder when the "education" period will kick in for internet users and actual policy gets made to curb this type of behavior.
I hope that FCC guy understands that the Blackberry he mentioned uses BIS and BES to reduce bandwidth consumed by 80-90%
What about those frequencies left from TV's move to HD?
Yeah, I can't believe there is not at least mention of this. That's what the whole move was supposed to be about.
(I'll have to check out the article)
Thanks, I missed that. I half expected Apple to bid to to be honest! I guess they don't want to get into that business. I hope it was ATT that got it, just being selfish
As far as I recall, it was ATT that took the lion's share (I think).
This is the end of days my friends you heard it hear first...
Why?
Simple, I have NEVER been a fan of ANYTHING government run, sure I have some favorite presidents over the years but even my MOST favorites are still considered to me as nothing more than a necessary evil. Senators, no use for the lot of em, Congressmen leaches one and all, Supreme court judges?!!? DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED!
So what does this have to do with the price of tea in China you ask...
This Julius Genachowski, aka Beelzebub, aka Lucifer, aka the Prince of Darkness, must be what I say he is because no MAN OF THE EARTH could ever make look upon a government run agency in a truly positive light... NOBODY!
Ipso facto, Julius Genachowski is Satan and watch out because the end is near!
Sorry but I've gotta run now, I need to find a back woods compound (with a fiber connection to the net) where I can hold up and make a final stand.
God help us all... we're gonna need it!
In France, it is becoming law that people who are proven to be illegally filesharing, get sent letters and basically it is 3x your out.
Let me get this straight?
You are proven to have broken the law and you get a letter sent to you?
And after you are proven to have broken the law three times and had three letters sent to you, your broadband connectivity is revoked?
A letter? And three times at that?
What kind of inhumane and soulless government does France have?
This will absolutely end up in the European Court of Human Rights!
Let me get this straight?
You are proven to have broken the law and you get a letter sent to you?
And after you are proven to have broken the law three times and had three letters sent to you, your broadband connectivity is revoked?
A letter? And three times at that?
What kind of inhumane and soulless government does France have?
This will absolutely end up in the European Court of Human Rights!
Frankly, it would be pretty nice, if I understood at least one single phrase he wrote in connection with France. No luck so far. Does he care in French??
As far as I recall, it was ATT that took the lion's share (I think).
Do your homework. Verizon won a big portion of it.
Ipso facto, Julius Genachowski is Satin and watch out because the end is near!
Ok... who is Silk then. And what is the color. And hems do come down. Don't worry they can be sewed up.
The article is a bit slanted towards the iPhone. This is what was really said.
http://www.twice.com/article/357112-...ectrum_Gap.php
"We are fast entering a world where mass-market mobile devices consume thousands of megabytes each month," he said in a speech to attendees. "So we must ask: What happens when every mobile user has an iPhone, a Palm Pre, a Blackberry Tour or whatever the next device is? What happens when we quadruple the number of subscribers with mobile broadband on their laptops or netbooks?"
Actually extreme you cite his quote in his address to the CTIA forum, not the Businessweek interview referenced by the article.
Actually extreme you cite his quote in his address to the CTIA forum, not the Businessweek interview referenced by the article.
Extreme is not one to let little details like that get in the way of the point he wants to make.
Thanks, I missed that. I half expected Apple to bid to to be honest! I guess they don't want to get into that business. I hope it was ATT that got it, just being selfish
After doing some reading from what I can tell it was estimated that ATT share would be about 2.3-2.8 billion. Their network can use all the help it can get.