FCC to Consider Plan For Free Broadband Internet
The FCC is expected to consider a plan to auction off airwaves with the winning bidder allocating some space for free internet nationwide, an idea vehemently opposed by cell phone companies.
The plan was put forward by FCC chairman Kevin martin, and will likely be considered at the commission’s December 18meeting.
The plan faces several major concerns. First, the cell phone companies believe that offering up free internet is not a feasible business model. There is also the fears that in this troubled economy, investors will not be able to create the necessary infrastructure for the plan.
Free speech advocates do not like the idea that the winning bidder would have to block offensive content.
As well, there are concerns that the block of free airwaves would create interference with other spectrums for which companies have paid. M2Z, a company which plans to bid, hopes to have the free internet supported by ads.
In order for the proposal to go through, Martin must convince the committee’s two democrats to side with him. The two other republicans are likely to oppose the idea.
