700MHz のオークション、終了？

700MHz のオークションが決着がついたようである。

■dailywireless.org » 700MHz: Open Access Triggered . . . We Have a Winner!
http://www.dailywireless.org/2008/01/31/700mhz-open-access-triggered/

“Based on our analysis of the bidding pattern, we believe that if there have been two active bidders for the C Block, the second bidder has lost sufficient eligibility to bid again, and thus, we believe the bidding for the C Block is likely over,” noted research firm Stifel Nicolaus after round 17. Since the rules required anyone else to bid in the next round, it appears that there is no one else trying to compete. So we have a winner for the “C” block, that will provide broadband access (and voice) throughout the United States.

The winner is widely speculated to be Google, although companies are banned from talking about their bidding while the auction is active. The search company previously said it would bid at least the reserve price for the C Block.

しかし、昨年の 2.5GHz 割り当てと比べてみると、日米はまったく違うシステムであることがよくわかる。行政を国家資源の再分配メカニズムとして見た場合、公平感と透明性のレベルが違いすぎる。御上が下々の顔色をみながら、良きに計らって与え給う、というシステムをいつまでも続けてもいいものなのだろうか？