By Teresa von Fuchs
Friday, June 6, 2008
An FCC plan to provide free, nationwide wireless Internet has faltered on concerns about possible network interference and a stipulation that would require filtering of offensive content. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin reportedly said the commission will not vote on the proposal June 12 as originally planned, but that he still hopes to present the full plan to the commission in July.
The proposal involves the commission’s auctioning 25 MHz of spectrum, the winner of which would be required to use a portion to build a national wireless broadband network and offer free service to 95% of the nation’s population in 10 years. The plan also would require the network operator to filter content inappropriate for children.
Martin reportedly said the proposal would not be presented next week in order to allow fellow commissioners more time to consider the plan. Wireless companies with spectrum adjacent to the swath that would be auctioned have reportedly voiced concerns about possible network interference; and some groups have objected to the plan’s content filtering.