AT&T rebuts spectrum bill criticism from former FCC chief

{mosads}The House passed telecom subpanel Chairman Greg Walden’s (R-Ore.) spectrum bill as part of the payroll tax package in December, but
ultimately approved the Senate’s temporary extension. Spectrum will likely come up in a conference committee as part of a
long-term deal to extend the payroll tax cut.

Walden’s legislation is aimed at preventing the FCC from excluding particular firms from bidding in the auctions, which are designed to free up spectrum currently held by broadcasters for wireless use.

Hundt suggested the largest wireless firms could decide to purchase the airwaves just to kill off competition. Walden indicated the FCC could revoke some licenses if one firm buys too many.

Verizon Wireless and AT&T are the largest national wireless carriers, followed by Sprint and T-Mobile USA.