FCC Sets Deadline for Opposers of Verizon's Spectrum Grabs

GettingSleepy said:
Or how about companies are not allowed to purchase additional spectrum until they're using at least 80% of what they own.

That logic breaks down because of the way spectrum is auctioned. If you look at the AWS spectrum that VZW is trying to acquire compared to the AWS spectrum they already had, it's obvious why they weren't using it: They only had AWS spectrum assets east of the Mississippi, but in the auction, the CableCo outfit bought all the SAME spectrum rights in the Western USA.

It is basically IMPOSSILBE for VZW to deploy AWS service without having the western US spectrum, because handset makers would have to create different antennas for east-coast and west-coast customers. And if a Floridian decided to take a trip to California, he would find that his AWS band LTE that worked fine in Florida was simply non-existent on the west coast!

That's not an acceptable user scenario for any service provider!

Watching nationwide carriers to buy up localized patchworks of spectrum chunks is a problem, because it means that if you don't get it ALL (or almost all) then the only economical choice is to sit on unused spectrum for 5 years until the other owner is willing to sell!

Which is why this deal is happening (or trying to happen)...

It's a game of chicken, basically: Who decides they want to sell out first?

A spectrum screen would motivate carriers to swap spectrum so that ALL the airwaves could be used, because the only way to legally obtain more airwaves for your own compny would be to increase the pool of airwaves available for your competitors.

THAT is minor government oversight acting to ensure the free-market enterprise continues to operate. It's doing the most amount of good with the least amount of regulation, and that's a good thing.