Going from capitalism to socialism..?

Question

Hi,
May be I am not using the word socialism and capitalism most appropriately, but let me say what I mean..

I hear that FCC is auctioning some bandwidth of spectrum and Google planning to bid for some 700MHz..
I understand it as going from socialism to capitalism..

But after private companies own these bandwidths, it will never be possible to go from capitalism to socialism,right?
i.e. Govts will never be able to re-own these bandwidths..
unless private companies willingly give it back..
because then it will infringe on the right of private companies..

It's just an example. In general it seems, that it would be hard to go back from capitalism to socialism for the govt..

Comments/Insights etc are most welcome !

Answer 1

It doesn't work that way, the FCC is just auctioning off licensing for that band. It's not really selling it off, much like there is a licensed band for public service use for police radios. Just like there is a licensed band for cell phone signals. Licensing serves a technical purpose (keeping interference to a minimum). Even in unlicensed bands (900mhz and 2.4ghz), there are limits to what kinds of power and antennas you can use to minimize interference issues. The FCC is and was designed to be, a technical organization.

And, the reason Google is trying to buy this band has nothing to do with their use of the band, rather they want to let cell phone companies use the band as another cell band, but only if they agree to implement google's API to allow 3rd party developers to make applications for cell phones. This is a good thing, as it's a motivation for opening up cell phones to new applications. The benefit that Google gets from this is rather indirect - they also get to write their Google Maps and other applications for cell phones.

This specific example is neither capitalism or socialism, but rather it's more libertarian than anything.

Answer 2

You are very right to be concerned! See http://www.savetheinternet.com/ and http://www.freepress.net/

...However, is Google buying a "station" in the same way that WKRP in Cincinnati "owns" the "bandwidth" for Channel 12? Or ... yeah, I'm not sure I understand it, either.