We might be on our way toward a resolution in Washington on Verizon’s attempt to buy 20 MHz of spectrum from cable TV companies who aren’t using it. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) wrote a letter (not sure how STRONGLY WORDED it was, Kohl isn’t all that bombastic) suggested that Verizon should divest itself of some of the spectrum that it’s looking to acquire. For its part, Verizon has already proposed selling off other sections of spectrum.
The real sticking point, however, may be the joint marketing agreement that Verizon and the cable companies are proposing, wherein they talk up one another to customers. If anyone’s worried about a lack of competition, that’s a facet of this deal that could amplify concern.
CNET’s Marguerite Reardon has a pretty long write-up on all of this in case you’re as geeked out on spectrum as we are around here. BECAUSE IT’S ONLY THE FUTURE IS WHY.