Today's spectrum auction oversight hearing in front of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology should offer a preview of the battles to come in the next year, as the FCC works to develop the rules for its latest auction of airwaves reclaimed from the broadcasters. All five FCC members are expected to testify. Two issues in particular are expected to be a focus: the designation of spectrum for unlicensed use, and the creation of rules regarding what companies may bid on spectrum and how much they may purchase at auction. Recently confirmed Republican Commissioner Ajit Pai warns in his prepared remarks (PDF) that placing limits on bidders or setting a spectrum cap would result in less auction participation, less revenue and less spectrum available for wireless carriers.
The legislation authorized by Congress as part of the debt ceiling deal limits what conditions the FCC can place on the auction, but the Democratic-leaning commission is still expected to attempt to craft some conditions that would prevent AT&T and Verizon from purchasing all of the spectrum up for auction. As for unlicensed spectrum, some Republicans have shown increasing hostility to opening up spectrum for unlicensed use, despite the widespread benefits and innovation provided by previous swathes of unlicensed spectrum. California Reps. Anna Eshoo, a Democrat, and Darrell Issa, a Republican, wrote to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski (PDF) on Tuesday urging them to protect public access to unlicensed spectrum and to free up additional airwaves as planned.
Tech companies view unlicensed spectrum as vital to easing the rising demand for data that is driving the demand for more spectrum. The freeing up of lower-frequency airwaves could potentially spawn new Wi-Fi technologies, which in turn would lessen demand for mobile broadband; it's no wonder that the wireless companies are therefore viewed as largely behind the recent push against unlicensed spectrum.
House Science Holds Hearing on NASA Outlook: The House Science Committee will hold a full panel hearing this morning on the future of NASA, featuring representatives from private industry, academia and the agency itself. NASA's budget has remained largely flat for the past 15 years, while its mission has shifted several times over that same time period. The Obama administration has focused on using the agency's funding to boost the commercial space program, at the expense of NASA's human spaceflight program. NASA officials recently indicated they plan on sending another rover to Mars, which might be an indication of the agency's reduced ambitions in this era of fiscal belt-tightening. ICYMI: CRS Report From the Office of Science and Technology Policy on Issues for Congress (PDF) Feinstein Ready to Drop Leak Provisions to Advance Spy Bill: Senate Intelligence Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said Tuesday that she's ready to drop a number of anti-leak provisions in the fiscal 2013 legislation (S 3454) reauthorizing the spy agencies, in order to move the bill forward. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., has placed a hold on the bill over the language, which is aimed at cracking down on leaks of classified information. Other senators and the Obama administration have also lodged objections. Feinstein said she still wants to keep one non-controversial anti-leak provision in the bill, which would establish procedures for intelligence agencies to investigate unauthorized disclosures. Boehner, Cantor to Take Part in Online Town Halls: The startup CrowdHall has snagged Speaker John Boehner of Ohio and Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia to take part in Reddit-style online forums at the start of the 113th Congress. Both Republican leaders are part of a growing trend of politicians reaching out to online denizens where they spend the most time, such as Reddit, Facebook, and other social media platforms. President Obama and other Democrats have taken advantage of online town halls at Reddit, Facebook and other Web companies in recent years. Markey & Barton Meet With Data Brokers: The co-chairmen of the Congressional Bipartisan Privacy Caucus, Reps. Edward Markey, D-Mass., and Joe Barton, R-Texas, will host a briefing