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The Federal Communications Commission’s plan to offer free high-speed wireless Internet all across the country has reached its first speed bump, as the FCC’s Chairman Kevin Martin announced that the proposal will not be voted as initially scheduled during the June 12 meeting and will be postponed until July.
According to the Associated Press, Mr. Martin added that his announcement must not be misunderstood, as the wireless network plan is still considered to be a priority and an excellent technological opportunity for everyone and also that he is very supportive of the cause.
Apparently, the decision was made in order for the commission to investigate and respond to a series of concerns raised by several wireless carriers and also for the commissioners to be fully informed with the proposal’s details.
The plan consists in setting up an auction for a 25 MHz piece of spectrum in the 2155 MHz band and its winner would be required to offer free wireless-Internet access across the United States territory. The process would be completed over the next few years.
According to FCC’s Chairman Kevin Martin, the buyer would also have to build the network for at least 50 percent of the population during the first 4 years and should reach 95 percent in 10 years at the most. Internet would be offered free, but restricted and verified through a content filter for any kind of obscene materials.
The auction procedures are expected to require at least six months, so the postponement of June 12’s meeting will significantly delay the process to set up the pricing plans, minimum data rates, content filtering and many other issues.
According to the Associated Press, Mr. Martin added that his announcement must not be misunderstood, as the wireless network plan is still considered to be a priority and an excellent technological opportunity for everyone and also that he is very supportive of the cause.
Apparently, the decision was made in order for the commission to investigate and respond to a series of concerns raised by several wireless carriers and also for the commissioners to be fully informed with the proposal’s details.
The plan consists in setting up an auction for a 25 MHz piece of spectrum in the 2155 MHz band and its winner would be required to offer free wireless-Internet access across the United States territory. The process would be completed over the next few years.
According to FCC’s Chairman Kevin Martin, the buyer would also have to build the network for at least 50 percent of the population during the first 4 years and should reach 95 percent in 10 years at the most. Internet would be offered free, but restricted and verified through a content filter for any kind of obscene materials.
The auction procedures are expected to require at least six months, so the postponement of June 12’s meeting will significantly delay the process to set up the pricing plans, minimum data rates, content filtering and many other issues.
