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<title>RE: [governance] Free Web Plan Being Pushed by FCC Head</title>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>And PLEASE note that this is a CENSORED
internet, which is precisely what some of us fear will be the price of
government-provided “internet for all.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><br>
Outgoing Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin is<br>
pushing for action in December on a plan to offer free, pornography-free<br>
wireless Internet service to all Americans, despite objections from the<br>
wireless industry and some consumer groups.<br>
<br>
The proposal to allow a no-smut, free wireless Internet service is part<br>
of a proposal to auction off a chunk of airwaves. The winning bidder<br>
would be required to set aside a quarter of the airwaves for a free<br>
Internet service. The winner could establish a paid service that would<br>
have a fast wireless Internet connection. The free service could be<br>
slower and would be required to filter out pornography and other<br>
material not suitable for children. The FCC's proposal mirrors a plan<br>
offered by M2Z Networks Inc., a start-up backed by Kleiner Perkins<br>
Caufield & Byers partner John Doerr.<br>
<br>
Consumer advocates have objected to the FCC's proposed pornography<br>
filter, while the wireless industry has objected to the entire free<br>
Internet plan. To address concerns about the filter, the FCC is<br>
proposing that adults could opt out and access all Internet sites.<br>
<br>
T-Mobile USA, in particular, has raised concerns. The Deutsche Telekom<br>
AG unit paid about $4 billion a few years ago for nearby airwaves and<br>
has complained that the free wireless Internet plan will likely result<br>
in interference for consumers of its new 3G wireless network. The FCC<br>
dismissed the company's interference concerns this fall, although<br>
T-Mobile disagreed with that finding.<br>
<br>
--<br>
<st1:PersonName w:st="on">Guru</st1:PersonName>murthy Kasinathan<br>
IT for Change<br>
www.ITforChange.net<br>
Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities<br>
<a href="http://ITforChange.net"><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>http://ITforChange.net</span></font></a><br>
<a href="http://India.IS-Watch.net"><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>http://India.IS-Watch.net</span></font></a><br>
<a href="http://IS-Watch.net"><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>http://IS-Watch.net</span></font></a><br>
*IT for Change is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with United Nations'
Economic and Social Council*<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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