Posted by: Bob Quinn on January 17, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Last Friday, we put out a statement on incentive spectrum auction legislation and concerns we had that the FCC was seeking authority to pick and choose which companies would be allowed to participate in future spectrum auctions. After reading the Commission’s response, it seems that the agency is missing the point entirely.
The FCC maintains that its “goal and intention is that every carrier — big, medium, or small — that needs additional spectrum should have a meaningful chance to bid for it.” (emphasis added). That concept, ironically, is entirely consistent with pending legislation for incentive spectrum auctions, which states that the Commission cannot prevent an entity from participating in the incentive spectrum auctions if that entity meets the technical, financial and character qualifications required to hold a license. (It should also be noted that it’s consistent with the economists’ letter to the President the FCC referred to in its response to our statement). The proposed statutory language ensures any qualified entity’s right to participate in the auction and prohibits the FCC from blocking an otherwise qualified bidder from participating in the auction – i.e., creating rules designed to pick winners and losers in the auction itself.
The FCC has done some creative tinkering with auctions in the past, with dubious results. For example, the FCC created set asides for Designated Entities, which led to valuable spectrum laying fallow for years when a major DE landed in bankruptcy. They also imposed conditions on both the C Block and D Block spectrum in the recent 700 MHz auction.
From AT&T’s perspective, however, we fear that this time around, some of its tinkering may be aimed at specific auction participants, like us. Why are we fearful?
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Posted by: AT&T Blog Team on January 13, 2012 at 10:31 am
AT&T says it would be a disservice to the Nation if the FCC is so adamant about preserving and enhancing its own power that it would risk killing this crucial legislation
The following may be attributed to Jim Cicconi, AT&T Senior Executive Vice President —External and Legislative Affairs:
“We applaud the chairman’s continuing support for incentive spectrum auction legislation, which is vital to consumers and to our Nation’s economy. We are troubled, though, that the chairman and some of his staff are now saying that the FCC, and not the United States Congress, should have full power to impose conditions, and to decide which companies are allowed to participate in spectrum auctions and which should not.
“In our experience, anytime a regulatory agency seeks unfettered discretion, that is the best reason Congress should not give it to them.
“The entire principle behind spectrum auctions is to allow free and competitive markets to work, thus ensuring that valuable spectrum goes to the most economically viable uses. This also provides maximum return to the U.S. Treasury. For the FCC to assert, in the name of ‘fostering competition’, that it should have final say on which companies can bid on spectrum is for them to engage in picking winners and losers. That is not the job of the FCC. When consumers are able to make decisions in a free and competitive market– and wireless is clearly that– the FCC should not be allowed to impose its own will if it doesn’t like the choices those consumers make.
“The FCC should be a neutral arbiter, ensuring fairness and impartially enforcing a system of rules and laws. It should not be empowered by Congress to advantage some companies and disadvantage others, or to impose its preferences on a free market. We commend the Congress for advancing spectrum legislation in a way that helps the economy, maximizes revenue for the Treasury, and ensures that consumers– not regulators– decide who wins and loses in the competitive wireless market. It would be a disservice to the Nation if the FCC is so adamant about preserving and enhancing its own power that it would risk killing this crucial legislation.”
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Posted by: AT&T Blog Team on January 11, 2012 at 11:34 pm
By Norelie Garcia, AT&T Associate Vice President – Federal Public Affairs:
There are many reasons why I’m proud to work for AT&T, but chief among them is our company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. From the board room to the front lines, from the stores to our supply chain, diversity and inclusion are central to our culture and a core part of our business strategy.
Today, we are honored by The Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) 2011 Corporate Inclusion Index report’s high rating for our Hispanic inclusion practices in the areas of workforce, procurement, philanthropy and governance. AT&T was one of only two companies – and the only telecommunications company nationwide – to receive a 95 rating, the highest in this year’s index.
We’re committed to full representation of a diverse workforce. Right now, our workforce is about 12 percent Hispanic, and our total U.S. workforce is 40 percent female and 38 percent people of color. I’m an active member of our award-winning and company sponsored Hispanic employee resource group HACEMOS, an important partner in our workforce diversity, community engagement and volunteering efforts.
Diversity is a key part of all aspects of our business strategy, and we reap the benefits of this every day in new customers, and strong relationships with excellent suppliers and partners. We commend Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility Chair Janet Murguía, President & CEO Carlos Orta and Executive Committee Members for their tireless work to advance the inclusion of Hispanics in Corporate America at a level commensurate with our economic contributions.
Recognitions like this are a chance to take stock and reflect not only on how far we have progressed but also on the importance of continuing this great work!
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