topics

FCC Floating a Free Wireless Internet Plan As Part of New Auction

Kevin Martin, the outgoing FCC chairman, has pushing for a controversial free wireless internet plan, as part of the agency’s plan for the next slate of spectrum auction, reports WSJ. At its December meeting, FCC wants to put forth a plan to offer free, adult-material-free wireless Internet service to all Americans, despite objections from the wireless industry and some consumer advocacy groups. The plan involves that the winning spectrum bidder set aside a quarter of the airwaves for this free service, and would also charge for a faster wireless Internet connection. The free service could be slower and would be required to filter out pornography and other material not suitable for children, the story says. The consumer groups object to the filtering part, for which FCC has a runaround: adults could opt out of the filter and access all Internet sites.

FCC could also discuss some other digital-media related plans, including the evergreen-debate of cable unbundling. The agency has however shelved plans to consider some other controversial issues, including the broadcast flag request by Hollywood studios, which wants to offer copy-protected theatrical releases sooner on TV.

 

Dec 1, 2008 10:27 AM ET

Posted In: Legal, Regulatory, fcc

Comments (0)

May 16, 2009 2:45 AM

Doesn’t free wireless already exist in coffee shops around the world? *scratches head*

Hunter Leveling Guide

May 21, 2009 6:19 PM

If they provide Free wireless Internet service to all Americans that would be great.

How to Write a Song

Leave a Comment

Commenting is now closed for this article.

Unhealthily Obsessed With Mobile Content | mocoNews Newsletter

Know something we don’t?

Send Us a News Tip

All tips are anonymous and untraced.

Sponsors

Contributors