FCC

AT&T and Verizon in race to "open up"

By Michal Lev-Ram

The race to be the most "open" wireless carrier is heating up. On Wednesday, Verizon (VZ) will release a set of technical specifications that will enable non-Verizon branded cell phones to work on its network for the first time. Not to be outdone, early Tuesday AT&T (T) unveiled a new website which includes resources for consumers who want to use phones they've purchased outside of the carrier's stores MORE

Wireless spectrum auction winding down

By Michal Lev-Ram

The federal government's high-profile wireless spectrum auction will likely end in the next few days. That means we could soon find out who won the last major chunks of spectrum available in the United States, which have attracted nearly $20 billion in bids.

Analysts say it will likely take about a week after the auction concludes for the Federal Communications Commission to compile and release the list of winners MORE

FCC wireless auction nearing $20 billion

By Michal Lev-Ram

Despite worries that economic uncertainty would hamper bidding, the Federal Communication Commission's wireless spectrum auction has raised nearly $20 billion to date, well over the agency's minimum goal of $10 billion.

Out of five available portions of spectrum, the so-called C block -- whose airwaves are considered particularly suited for broadband Internet because they can travel long distances and penetrate walls -- has raised the most cash. A $4.7 MORE

Google gets its way with new wireless network

By Michal Lev-Ram

Somewhere in the Googleplex, Sergey Brin, Larry Page and Eric Schmidt are celebrating right about now.

That's because the Internet search giant Thursday scored its first big win in the mobile business: The minimum $4.6 billion bid has been met in the Federal Communications Commission's auction of the so-called C block of the 700 MHZ wireless spectrum, and that means that the eventual winner of those airwaves will have MORE

Spectrum auction kicks off in dismal market

By Michal Lev-Ram

This is not exactly the best week to kick off a multi-billion dollar wireless spectrum auction, what with the markets melting down and tech stocks like Google, Sprint, Motorola and Apple taking big hits.

But on Thursday the Federal Communications Commission's 700 MHz spectrum auction begins, and analysts worry that the current economic climate could make it harder for newcomers to come up with the cash needed for MORE

Google officially cleared for spectrum auction

By Michal Lev-Ram

Surprise, surprise: Google (GOOG) is now a qualified bidder in the upcoming Federal Communications Commission spectrum auction, joining the likes of Verizon Wireless (VZ), AT&T (T) and satellite television provider EchoStar (DISH). In total, 214 bidders have made it to the final round, the FCC announced late Monday. So who's out of the running? Over 50 companies and individuals, including early entrants like Faithfone Wireless, the Navajo MORE

Say goodbye to your analog cell phone

By Michal Lev-Ram

Still using an analog cell phone? Better upgrade fast because on Feb. 19 those U.S. carriers still offering analog service will shut down their outdated networks.

Until this year, the Federal Communications Commission had required wireless carriers to maintain analog networks despite the fact that the numbers of subscribers using the aging service has been dwindling since the early 2000s.

If not for the FCC mandate, carriers would MORE

Guess who's bidding for wireless spectrum?

By Michal Lev-Ram

What do Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, search company Google (GOOG) and energy giant Chevron (CVX) have in common? All three are potential bidders on the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) upcoming wireless airwaves auction.

The bidding for the coveted 700 MHz spectrum (originally used for analog TVs) doesn't start until January 24, but late yesterday the FCC released the names of the 266 companies and individuals who have applied MORE

iPhone: How to get from 2G to 3G without killing sales

For Apple (AAPL), the transition from the 2G (or 2.5G) iPhone to the 3G iPhone is a tricky one.

We know the new model is coming sometime in 2008. Steve Jobs hinted as much in September, and AT&T's (T) Randall Stephenson confirmed it last month.

The problem for Apple is that it must get formal FCC approval before it releases any new radio-based device. Such applications are public documents, which makes it MORE

Mixed wireless signals out of Google

By Stephanie Mehta 

In case you missed it, today marks the deadline for submitting paperwork to the Federal Communications Commission for bidding in the upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction. Search-engine giant Google (GOOG) says it will participate, and analysts expect competing bids from Verizon Wireless -- a joint venture of Verizon (VZ) and Vodafone (VOD) -- and AT&T (T).

Google certainly has the financial firepower to make a winning bid. (The FCC MORE