Free (but censored) wireless Internet for the Land of the Free

Stephen Withers
Wednesday, 03 December 2008 02:30

IT Industry - Market

US Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin is pushing provisions for a free, nationwide wireless Internet service. The Commission is expected to consider the proposal later this month.

Martin's proposal is to auction a portion of wireless spectrum with a condition that up to one quarter of it is used to provide a free Internet service for users across the country.

The catch is that the winner of the mooted auction would be required to filter adult content from the free service. Over 18s will be able to lift the filter.

The remainder of the licensed spectrum would be used to provide faster paid Internet connections and other services.

The proposed spectrum - known as AWS-3 - is currently unused.

As you might expect, opposition is coming from mobile phone companies. The idea of someone giving away what they currently sell must be particularly challenging.

Some of those objections are being cloaked in assertions that a free service would somehow interfere with existing operations (as if it would make any difference if those same radio waves came with a price tag), but the FCC has determined there is no significant risk of harmful interference if AWS-3 is put to use.

Other complaints are coming from libertarians concerned by the idea of a filtered Internet.

What will the FCC require in terms of filtering or censorship? See page 2.