Senate Discusses Third Pipe Using 700MHz Spectrum

Freebird writes "The US Senate Commerce Committee held hearings on the upcoming 700MHz spectrum auction today, and much of the discussion centered around Frontline Wireless' proposal to create a commercial wireless broadband network that would also be used for public safety. 'Under Frontline's proposal, the FCC would auction off 10 MHz from the commercially available spectrum and offer that to the highest bidder. The winner would also be given (free) 12 MHz out of the 24 MHz currently allotted to public safety.' Some senators were skeptical, especially Ted Stevens of Alaska who had a 'long and testy interchange' with Frontline CEO James Barksdale. 'He seemed to be zeroing on criticisms that the Frontline proposal was simply a way for a new company to get a huge discount on a prime chunk of spectrum by playing the "public safety" card.'"

Fitting...

[setirw]

Some senators were skeptical, especially Ted Stevens of Alaska

Creating a new pipe would nullify his "clogged tubes" argument against net neutrality!

Ted Stevens

[deblau]

Shhh don't tell him about the invisible tubes in the sky...

Stevens was peeved at Frontline's reluctance...

[Anonymous Coward]

...to install their first WAP on an uninhabited Alaskan island.

And Dogs Everywhere Rejoiced

[BlueMikey]

Wireless flea and tick control? Sweet.

Re:Fitting...

[Savage-Rabbit]

Some senators were skeptical, especially Ted Stevens of Alaska

Creating a new pipe would nullify his "clogged tubes" argument against net neutrality!

So? Put some weed in his pipe and light it, he'll soon change his mind.

Sounds like a dispute over turf.

[Anonymous Coward]

He seemed to be zeroing on criticisms that the Frontline proposal was simply a way for a new company to get a huge discount on a prime chunk of spectrum by playing the "public safety" card.

"Playin' the public safety card is our baby", Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska)was later heard to exhort.

Re:We should really all stop ragging on Ted Steven

[Surt]

The most ironic part is that for all everyone makes fun of him, the internet is, in fact, mostly made up of a series of tubes.