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Expect a longer post later today, but the Wall Street Journal and USA Today are running stories on FCC Chairman Kevin Martin's plan for the 700 MHz auction rules. The rules would require a Carterfone-like provision that would allow consumers to use any wireless device or application on the network, without carriers' restrictions. However, this provision would not extend beyond the 700 MHz block. Martin will likely release his full plan sometime this week, and you can read Gigi's post on it here.
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In other spectrum news, the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council asked the FCC to create a public-private emergency communications network like the one proposed by Frontline Wireless. However, while the NPSTC endorsed build-out requirements, it did not believe an open-access provision was necessary.
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Art blogs in the Huffington Post that the Communications Workers of America are holding back reform on network neutrality. The unions are understandably looking to protect and create jobs, but their strategy seems to rest on blindly supporting carriers' business models. Ultimately a non-neutral Internet will almost certainly hurt carriers in, not help them, and will cost CWA more jobs.
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Straight off its failure to reach consensus over a new Broadcasters Treaty, the World Intellectual Property Organization admitted its employees suffered a “lack of pride” and low morale. Employees took twice as many sick days as the national Swiss average, and complained that advancement in the organization was based on tenure, not merit.
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