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The top 4 cellular carriers in the US- AT&T, Verizon, Spring and T-Mobile are fighting over the available airspace in the US. The matter of controlling airspace is becoming increasingly more important to each of these companies as Americans become more and more dependent upon their individual mobile devices, both for personal use and for work.
The Federal Communication Commission is planning to auction off airspace, currently used by broadcast television companies, to wireless carriers. The issue is which company or companies will be permitted to acquire this valuable space. The airwaves in question are lower frequency waves that are ideal for transmitting data over long distances, particularly in rural areas. The number 3 & 4 carriers currently have very few low-frequency airwaves making their acquisition of these airwaves even more important for them. As it stands now, they are not able to compete to the best of their ability. If they are allowed to at least bid on the low-frequency airwaves, it would open up a new realm of competition to the smaller carriers. There is, of course, also a benefit to the consumers as well. As a consumer, I want as many carriers and as many options out there. It is to my benefit to have multiple carriers competing for my business and as a result, allowing the consumer the best price possible. I for one, would not argue with that!
More information about this topic can be found here:
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/202591521.html?refer=y
More information about this topic can be found here:
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/202591521.html?refer=y
Competition has been the corner stone of lower price for the consumers throughout history. The more companies that can enter into the running for the frequency bands the better. As I remember, these are the frequencies that the TV network used during the transition over to the digital world.
ReplyDeleteThe smaller carriers don't process the revenue streams that the larger carriers have, diminishing their likelihood that they will be able to compete. Hopefully, they will be able to pickup a few of these lower frequencies.