Today the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will make a decision that could potentially change the cellular industry as we know it. The wireless airwaves are up for auction and the FCC has to set some rules regarding how those airwaves can be used. While AT&T and Verizon would prefer to control the entire 60 megahertz spectrum in order to strengthen their networks, Google is lobbying hard for open access - if only partially - to the airwaves for the benefit of more than just a single entity and allow consumers to use any device or software on any network.

In an interview on CNet News Chris Sacca, head of initiatives at Google, explained why Google is so invested in what happens to the wireless spectrum:

I think it's consistent with our company mission statement and consistent with our history of interaction with users. We have fought hard on a number of fronts to make the Internet as available as possible to the largest number of people as possible. Right now, the Internet is not available in too many places. And it's still too expensive for most folks...

The strategy is best defined by the goal. And the goal is, "What is going to make the Internet most available to the broadest number of people at the lowest price possible?" Right now, in an environment where there isn't a lot of competition in the wireline or the wireless space, we have seen the impact. Prices are too high, availability is restricted to some geographic areas, and too many people are left off the Net.

...Google is willing to do anything necessary to introduce some competition into this space and to really drive the prices of service to where they are most affordable to the broadest number of people.

The auction of the previously public owned wireless spectrum will not just affect the Internet or wireless providers. The effects would also be felt by public safety groups such as fire and police departments who say they need a connected nationwide network, instead of the patchwork network they currently work with. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has proposed that whoever wins the spectrum contract their network to the public sector to make this nationwide network available.

There are plenty of questions raised by the impending decision by the FCC as well as the auction of the airwaves including:

• What other ways will this occurrence affect the general public?
• Should the airwaves be auctioned off to the biggest bidder or stay public?
• Do you agree with Google's position that open airwaves would help to close the digital divide?
• How does this auction affect net neutrality?

This week we are asking the authors on Know More Media to write about this topic as part of a weekly challenge we call Topic Tuesday. Every Tuesday we announce a buzz topic and challenge the authors on the network to write about it through out the week as it relates to their specific column. I encourage Know More Media readers, many of which are also bloggers, to join the challenge and write about the auction of the wireless spectrum as well. Don't forget to keep an eye out for Know More Media author opinions on the subject.