WTF---another enormous natural resources giveaway?

From
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/29/AR2007072901259.html

"AT&T and Verizon Wireless have been eyeing these airwaves for almost a
decade, waiting for them to be abandoned by television broadcasters moving
to digital programming. The airwaves, which are ideal for carrying wireless
signals, are particularly valuable because **they will be the last up for
auction for decades**. The auction is to take place in January." [Emphasis
added.]

Details are lacking, but this logically implies that the auctioned pieces of
spectrum will _not_ be re-auctioned in decades. If so, that means they're
practically being given away, given the dollar figures people are talking
about (assuming that it's a lump sum paid to the gov't and not a recurring
annual fee).

Anyone know about the terms?


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