Why should the US stimulus rules change for the big carriers? : -4G Trends-

Now that the US broadband stimulus funding applications are in, there is rising debate over whether the rules should be changed for subsequent rounds of financing. Many of the applicants are putting forward highly innovative plans that go far beyond simple best effort access to underserved communities and look forward to a wide range of new services and business models. Many of these were prominently on show at last week’s 4G World in Chicago, with WiMAX-based operators like DigitalBridge to the fore.

This is leading powerful lobbyists to argue that, while the large operators want less stringent net neutrality conditions for future awards, the government has no need to compromise, since there are plenty of contenders capable of diversifying the US market without the large carriers getting involved. And the recent statements by new FCC chairman Julius Genachowski indicate he is in mood for further compromises on net neutrality, which he aims to extend to the wireless world...