Google twists FCC’s arm (Government Computer News)

“Google presented the government and the wireless industry with a curious ultimatum when it offered to bid $4.6 billion in the upcoming auction of newly available bandwidth in the wireless spectrum, but only if certain conditions requiring open access were placed on the spectrum.

As it turned out, the Federal Communications Commission ruled in favor of two of Google’s proposals, requiring those leasing in the spectrum to allow consumers to use whatever wireless devices and software they want on networks. FCC did not go along with Google’s proposal that third-party companies have a right to sublease spectrum at wholesale rates.

But what we found interesting was the opposition Google’s proposals raised.

Some FCC members were reported to be irritated by the “arrogance” of Google’s lobbyists. After all, where does Google get off telling FCC what to do and influencing it with the prospect of higher revenues from the spectrum auction?”