Da-Chief
04-21-2008, 11:30
http://i.dslr.net/urls/21/1521.gif (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Free-Wireless-Broadband-To-95-of-Americans-93740)
If you recall (http://www.corpsman.com/shownews/87204), a company by the name of M2Z Networks wanted to use a 20MHz chunk of unused spectrum in the 2GHz band to provide free wireless 384kbps service to 95% of the country. Their (denied) pitch to the FCC consisted of them getting the spectrum for free, in exchange for 5% of their overall revenue. That's why it's interesting to suddenly see Congress pushing a bill (http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9922319-7.html?tag=cd.blog) that would mandate the creation of almost exactly that type of network.
The new bill (the Wireless Internet Nationwide for Families Act (http://eshoo.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=411&Itemid=206)) would require that free 384kbps service be offered to 95% of the U.S. public within ten years. Also like the M2Z proposal, a strong emphasis is placed on the use of content filters. An aide for Rep. Anna Eshoo confirms M2Z played a role in drafting the bill:An Eshoo aide said her boss had conversations with M2Z while drafting the bill, but her motivation was "primarily to provide alternative means of broadband access for more Americans, and this fallow spectrum seemed to be a real opportunity."
One difference is in this case the spectrum would be auctioned off -- not given away for free. The requirement that the winning carrier would need to offer free service to 95% of the population would likely deter most bidders. It also almost guarantees that AT&T and Verizon lobbyists will have the bill killed long before it sees the light of day.
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If you recall (http://www.corpsman.com/shownews/87204), a company by the name of M2Z Networks wanted to use a 20MHz chunk of unused spectrum in the 2GHz band to provide free wireless 384kbps service to 95% of the country. Their (denied) pitch to the FCC consisted of them getting the spectrum for free, in exchange for 5% of their overall revenue. That's why it's interesting to suddenly see Congress pushing a bill (http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9922319-7.html?tag=cd.blog) that would mandate the creation of almost exactly that type of network.
The new bill (the Wireless Internet Nationwide for Families Act (http://eshoo.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=411&Itemid=206)) would require that free 384kbps service be offered to 95% of the U.S. public within ten years. Also like the M2Z proposal, a strong emphasis is placed on the use of content filters. An aide for Rep. Anna Eshoo confirms M2Z played a role in drafting the bill:An Eshoo aide said her boss had conversations with M2Z while drafting the bill, but her motivation was "primarily to provide alternative means of broadband access for more Americans, and this fallow spectrum seemed to be a real opportunity."
One difference is in this case the spectrum would be auctioned off -- not given away for free. The requirement that the winning carrier would need to offer free service to 95% of the population would likely deter most bidders. It also almost guarantees that AT&T and Verizon lobbyists will have the bill killed long before it sees the light of day.
read comment(s) (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Free-Wireless-Broadband-To-95-of-Americans-93740)
More...