No, it's not
that 700MHz spectrum, but the
$2.5 billion sale of the airwaves to AT&T from private firm Aloha Partners could have implications as large as Auction 73's massive, open-access Block C itself. Given that Aloha's
Hiwire trials for DVB-H-based mobile TV have been playing in the 700MHz arena, we suspect this could spell doom for the whole project -- and on the heels of
Modeo's collapse, very likely spells doom for DVB-H on the whole in the US. Though that's great news for Qualcomm and DVB-H competitor MediaFLO, it's awful news for the prospect of a global mobile TV standard, closely (if not eerily) following what happened years back with the European Union's selection of GSM and the rise of CDMA in North America. For its part, AT&T says it's going to use its newfound airwaves -- which cover 72 of the top 100 US markets -- for "broadcast video or for two-way communications such as voice, data or multicast content." Admittedly, the "broadcast video" part of that leads us to believe that Hiwire could somehow survive the change in ownership, but with AT&T's
selection of MediaFLO last year as its standard of choice, it sure ain't likely.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chebwa @ Feb 5th 2008 9:05PM
I have AT&T. And I still hate this news.
: (
Chris @ Feb 5th 2008 9:07PM
Soo many big words, what does this mean for consumers?
ChiaPet @ Feb 5th 2008 9:19PM
What does this mean for consumers? it mean`s AT&T is down 2.5 billion and is less likely to be the one how win`s the full 700mhz bid do to cash flow (well that`s my hope anyway)
linuxamp @ Feb 5th 2008 11:25PM
ChiaPet. Please read.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostrophe#English_language_usage
austin @ Feb 5th 2008 9:19PM
I don't get this 700 MHz hubbabaloo
yes, I read the article explaining it all
no, I still dont get it
CB17 @ Feb 5th 2008 10:41PM
See explanation below.
Chris @ Feb 5th 2008 9:23PM
Just tell me when something interesting happens. (if this is interesting than nevermind)
Tom Oliveri @ Feb 5th 2008 10:11PM
unlike most news related to AT&T this is interesting, if google won the auction we would probably be looking at a new wireless technology for all, a high speed long distance wireless technology to overtake HSDPA
now AT&T have it they probably wont do anything good with it.
Tom Oliveri @ Feb 5th 2008 10:12PM
whoops, forgot to rtfa
Distractedfocus @ Feb 5th 2008 9:25PM
I have at&t too but I still have to wonder why Microsoft can't have its services, IE7 or WMP bundled without being taken to task for it in the EU or our wonderful Government but the Telecom and Cable companies don't even get a second look. Didn't At&t get broken up already a few year back? Oh the money going to congress by way of the special intrest groups and lobbyists must be on the rise again as At&t Comcast TWC and all others can now offer "bundles" that screw us over even more then when they were seperate. I don't know why this is but I know it's not going to get any better. Thanks for listening!
Tom Oliveri @ Feb 5th 2008 10:09PM
that sucks
Tom Oliveri @ Feb 5th 2008 10:14PM
false alarm, just hope google sticks their head out and takes the C-block
roulette843 @ Feb 5th 2008 10:10PM
The FCC shouldn't have the ability to bless anything. Period.
Tom Oliveri @ Feb 5th 2008 10:13PM
they prefer to be referred to as god and associates inc.
Mark @ Feb 5th 2008 10:11PM
God I hope AT&T doesn't win the 700mhz. Does this company really need to be any bigger?
Alexander @ Feb 5th 2008 10:12PM
Let me sum up--A technology that was using part of the 700MHz spectrum that is currently being auction is now in doubt of seeing the light of day because the part of the spectrum that they made their technology work on might not be open access anymore.
Andrew A. @ Feb 5th 2008 10:29PM
But what does this mean for me? ($60 iPhone plan subscriber) I live up in the mountains of NY, will I start seeing better coverage around my area?
Andrew @ Feb 6th 2008 12:53AM
No, you will need a device compatable for the 700 mhz frequency.
CB17 @ Feb 5th 2008 10:39PM
Wow as I read these comments I realize that Engadget needs to not just explain what the open acess part of the auction is but ALSO WHAT is being auctioned off.
Brief summary:
-The 700 mhz frequency has many different channels.
-The FCC is only auctioning off a PART of it
-Many different private companies (Aloha being the biggest) owns the rest of the frequency
-Because ATT bought Aloha, it might not necessarily NEED to bid on the C block. It could still be in good shape if it just bids on one of the smaller block since they ALREADY have a good chunk of spectrum (with the Aloha purchase)
-Right now ATT devices use the GSM frequency of 850 and 1900 so no devices are gonna work on it. Same thing for CDMA carriers except different frequency.
People need to try and inform themselves before they post stupid comments on line.
CB17 @ Feb 5th 2008 10:40PM
Whoops I didn't mean to say ATT bought Aloha they just bought Aloha's spectrum.
John Stracke @ Feb 6th 2008 8:21AM
"People need to try and inform themselves before they post stupid comments on line." -- Right. Stupid comments are much more interested when they're coming from informed people.
sburko @ Feb 5th 2008 11:08PM
AT&T: Your world, unless we say otherwise
Eric @ Feb 6th 2008 7:11AM
Hey Andrew A,
AT&T is strongly considering the possibility of marketing pico cells to consumers which would give you perfect cell coverage in your home. In case you don't know, a pico cell is basically a small cell tower that supports 2-4 calls and taps into your home internet connection. AT&T is talking about offering unlimited minutes to consumers for $10 a month. Unfortunantly, this is still in the early stages. They haven't even begun product testing yet.
jeremy @ Feb 6th 2008 9:09AM
yea. but still no 3G for us.