John Navas wrote:
> On Wed, 09 Jan 2008 01:24:21 +0000, Larry <noone@home.com> wrote in
> <Xns9A1FD0109695Dnoonehomecom@208.49.80.253>:
>
>> John Navas <spamfilter1@navasgroup.com> wrote in
>> news:np48o35ke3p14ritsq3jv4pbha4uo8p17f@4ax.com:
>>
>>> bidders were required to fork over an
>>> "upfront payment" prior to the actual auction, and you have to wonder
>>> if Frontline was able to pay up.
>
>> This was setup by the big boys to keep the little guys from bidding....same
>> as Broadcasting. Big corporations with BIG, DEEP pockets full of money for
>> political hacks to be paid from is all Washington is about.
>
> Not so:
> * Auctioning spectrum ensures the most efficient use of that spectrum.

Not really - the 3G auction in the UK is a case in point. The spectrum
is sitting empty, and likely to remain so, because nobody was interested
in buying the overpriced services the auction "winners" wanted to sell....

> * Up front cash is just prudent auction practice, to avoid disruption of
> the auction process by those that can't really afford to bid.

Thats the spin, certainly. The reality is that the upfront cash rule
sets a barrier to participation and allows those who /are/ in to pay
less as there's less competition.


--
Mark McIntyre

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