dslreports logo
 story category
Verizon Files Complaint Over Dish Spectrum Auction Shenanigans

As we noted last month, Dish Network has been taking heat for some creative shenanigans at the recent AWS-3 spectrum auction. One, despite spending $13.3 billion at auction Dish appears to have used a legal "small business" loophole to save themselves around $3 billion. The company also took heat for using a variety of proxy companies to bid against one another in order to drive auction prices higher.

It doesn't appear that Dish broke any laws (at least none I've seen specifically cited), but Verizon did file a complaint with the FCC, and made the media rounds lamenting Dish's trickery:
quote:
In a regulatory filing with the Federal Communications Commission, Verizon said its analysis of auction data indicated that Dish closely coordinated its bidding with a pair of partnerships in which it was an investor, creating the impression there was more demand for some licenses than there actually was and driving smaller bidders out of the running.
Of course Verizon is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of laws and regulations, and their primary concern is Dish jumping into the wireless broadband market. It's still not really clear if that's Dish's intent, or they're just stockpiling valuable spectrum for a massive sale down the road.

Most recommended from 20 comments


ggultra2764
join:2007-09-13
Cambridge, NY

4 recommendations

ggultra2764

Member

Double Standard

So basically if you abuse laws and regulations to get your way, it is okay. But if anyone else does it, you raise a fuss. Verizon caring for itself as always.
DigitalRain
join:2013-03-16

3 recommendations

DigitalRain

Member

Spectrum is a valuable public resource..

Shouldn't be allowed to hoard it like that. Use it or give it back to the public.

karpodiem
Hail to The Victors
Premium Member
join:2008-05-20
Troy, MI

2 recommendations

karpodiem

Premium Member

for once, I agree with VZW

Ergen/Dish - either deploy an LTE service within two years to 60% of the spectrum footprint, or sell it.