Verizon has won the FCC auction for the 700Mhz spectrum.
Because Google helped get the bidding high enough the spectrum will be open access. The revelation that VZW won the auction makes their recent action to push forward with their Open Network initiative seem a lot more relevant.
Not only does it give them various advantages (as covered in our previous post on the subject) but it now allows them to test the waters of open access while they work out the details of and build out their 700Mhz network.
They can work out the kinks on their current network, where the open access is allowed at their discretion so that they can have a smooth system for device certification and rollout of standards when they roll out the new network, which will be open access by virtue of the auction terms.
Very smooth move, VZW
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