Saying the sale of spectrum is a critical issue for taxpayers, the National Taxpayers Union sent out a letter from its vice president of government affairs, Al Cors Jr., saying an amendment contained in appropriations legislation would give Northpoint Technology access to key spectrum without an auction.
Spectrum auctions to date have produced $1.2 billion for the U.S. Treasury, Cors said. "Unfortunately for taxpayers, allies of Northpoint Technology have managed to add a huge pork prize to key appropriations legislation, sponsored by Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) that would give the company rights to millions of dollars worth of spectrum absolutely free," Cors said.
Cors added, "With the federal budget running record deficits, the last action Congress should contemplate is giving millions of taxpayer dollars to Northpoint. Thanks to the well-connected Northpoint executives and their friends in Congress, the company is a winner - and the American taxpayer loses big again."
Northpoint has been at the center of debate concerning Multichannel Video Distribution and Data Service (MVDDS), the controversial spectrum-sharing technology satellite interests fear will interfere with satellite TV signals. Lawmakers have been scrutinizing an amendment to legislation concerning the auction of MVDDS spectrum, and some have suggested language in the bill could favor Northpoint and its efforts to avoid a bidding process for MVDDS licenses.
