Forward into the Fog or what will we be saying about the Incentive Auction in a year?

I've read through a lot of the information on the Incentive auction, listened to some of the workshops and meetings on Youtube, checked out some websites that aren't at fcc.gov and continue to have the feeling that no one has any real idea what it all means. I mean, we are talking about billions of dollars changing hands, broadcast channels moving or disappearing. One mysterious task to me (as a user in a previous life of optimizing software) is the reconfiguration (hopefully to be finished in 39 months) of the 100 MHz or so of newly released spectrum into contiguous blocs using "optimization software". That's like saying I'm traveling on transportation equipment. 

This process could be a bonanza for telecom lawyers. 

How will the so-called independent verifier for Lifeline work?

At their March 31 meeting the FCC commissioners had a spirited if partisan exchange of views about expanding the Lifeline subsidy to apply to the cost of broadband internet services for qualified low-income citizens. Although the commissioners seemed to agree that applying the subsidy to the cost of broadband was a good idea they parted ways over the budget for the subsidy. Listening to commissioners' statements it appeared that the budget issue was primarily a way to get at the issue of what two commissioners felt was the susceptibility of the program to "waste, fraud, and abuse". A better approach is to focus on the mechanics of the verification process (currently verification is done by the phone service provider) to make it as accurate and timely as possible. One commissioner brought up the issue of the extra $25 given to residents of tribal lands, particularly in the state of Oklahoma as a particular example of a poorly designed allocation of funds.

I will particularly be interested in the application of the subsidy to residents in HUD multi-family housing. Will they be able to combine their subsidies to allow the property to implement a property-wide wi-fi system.

From the FCC press release:

National Eligibility Verifier removes the opportunity for providers to enroll ineligible subscribers...Refines list of federal programs that may be used to validate Lifeline eligibility to those that support electronic validation, are most accountable, and best identify people needing support (SNAP, SSI, Medicaid, Veterans Pension, HUD Federal Public Housing Assistance, Tribal), along with income-based eligibility...Increases transparency by making program data publicly available and understandable, including subscriber counts by provider and uniform disclosure of annual subscriber recertification data