The FCC is auctioning off lower-frequency spectrum (700 mHz) to the highest bidder, and they’ve previously stated that if the reserve price was met, all potential buyers would have to allow open access to the network that gets built using the spectrum. That means, bring your own cell phone, your own laptop, your own whatever, without consequence to the preferences of the network operator. In essence, I like the FCC’s move.

Well the reserve price has been met. But by whom? Some say Google. Other say Google has no real interest in the spectrum, but has been submitting bids just to get the price over the reserve threshold and into the range where open access is required–because that benefits Google whether or not they own the spectrum license. It will be interesting to see who the winner is, and how they got there