In an apparent response to Verizon Wireless’s lawsuit, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is working to change the open access rules attached to next year’s 700 MHz spectrum auction. Verizon executives met with the FCC on September 17 and in that meeting strongly voiced Verizon’s opposition to the open access portion of the auction rules. With the public comment period just beginning, there is no immediate need for the rules to be revised, but even so Martin is taking extraordinary steps–in the form of a declaratory ruling–to revise the rules as they exist. It is believed that Verizon Wireless is prepared to bid in the 22 MHz block in question. The FCC has not had a chance to consider or respond to the petitions recently filed by AT&T and Frontline regarding the auction.