Why is the government allowing jusy a couple of huge corporations to buy up all the

bb sting

frequencies that will be opened up by the digital conversion, why not allow some actual competition take place instead of the virtual monopoly that we have now, these companies are like patent trolls, they buy up a frequency and they just sit on it and prevent it from being used by anyone else.

sid_viscous

You didn't name names but these auctions of frequency spectra have been going on for a long time with many bidders & nice profit to gov as well.



Keep in mind anyone can operate for FREE in these same frequency bands as well as the big boys, as long as you operate below a certain radiated power level. Indeed, once you have established a low-power service you are grandfathered (if that is the correct term) into that freq and the FCC will protect you there as long as you employ good operating practices, etc.



Example: Laramie WY wifi system, one of the wifi pioneers (name escapes me) has repeaters every 1k~ feet spread all over the city providing excellent very low cost service.

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sv

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB Sting


frequencies that will be opened up by the digital conversion, why not allow some actual competition take place instead of the virtual monopoly that we have now, these companies are like patent trolls, they buy up a frequency and they just sit on it and prevent it from being used by anyone else.

< see top post >

aresee

That is only in certain frequency bands. Of which wifi is in one of. The auctions you speak of are in closed bands that you must have a license for. It was these licenses that were being auctioned. If you broadcast in these frequencies the FCC will come after you.