Issue: The federal government is on the verge of turning over a huge portion of our public airwaves to companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast— who will use them for private enrichment instead of the public good.

Background: The issue being considered is who should control access to the radio spectrum. As part of the digital television transition, a prized portion of the public airwaves is being returned to the government. Implementing the right policies could mean more competition, faster service and lower price for consumers.

The FCC is about to auction the exclusive “license” to this spectrum, called the 700 MHz band, to the highest bidder among the big telecommunications companies. But a coalition of public interest groups has filed comments urging the FCC to use this auction to create a much-needed “third pipe” competitor to broadband services offered by phone and cable companies.

At the same time, Congress is considering what to do with “white spaces”—the unused parts of the public airwaves between TV channels that could expand broadband service to underserved areas. Bills pending in the House and Senate would set aside this spectrum for “unlicensed” wireless Internet.

These newly available airwaves are a once in a lifetime opportunity to revolutionize Internet access—beaming high speed signals to every park bench, coffee shop, workplace, and home in America at more affordable prices than current Internet service. Phone and cable companies don’t want this competition to their Internet service—they’d rather purchase the airwaves at auction and sit on them.

In June, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will make a major decision: Use the public airwaves for the public good, or turn them over to big companies who will stifle competition, innovation, and the wireless Internet revolution. Urge the FCC to mandate that whoever wins the auction cannot stifle competition and innovation.

Action: Visit www.savetheinternet.com/airwaves to send a personalized version of the following letter to the FCC.

The government must protect our airwaves from the same corporate gatekeepers that have stifled innovation and competition in Internet markets.

To restore America’s leadership in high-speed Internet services, the FCC must ensure that the upcoming auction sets aside at least 30 MHz of spectrum for open and non-discriminatory Internet access. This will guarantee that new entrants have the opportunity to enter the market in competition with incumbent providers.

It would be a big mistake to hand over these airwaves to the very same phone and cable companies that dominate the wireline market. We need more competition and innovation, not more of the same. This new wireless spectrum must be open and neutral so that America can build a better Internet for everyone.