[governance] Free Web Plan Being Pushed by FCC Head

[Milton L Mueller]

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." 

 


Outgoing Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin is
pushing for action in December on a plan to offer free, pornography-free
wireless Internet service to all Americans, despite objections from the
wireless industry and some consumer groups.

The proposal to allow a no-smut, free wireless Internet service is part
of a proposal to auction off a chunk of airwaves. The winning bidder
would be required to set aside a quarter of the airwaves for a free
Internet service. The winner could establish a paid service that would
have a fast wireless Internet connection. The free service could be
slower and would be required to filter out pornography and other
material not suitable for children. The FCC's proposal mirrors a plan
offered by M2Z Networks Inc., a start-up backed by Kleiner Perkins
Caufield & Byers partner John Doerr.

Consumer advocates have objected to the FCC's proposed pornography
filter, while the wireless industry has objected to the entire free
Internet plan. To address concerns about the filter, the FCC is
proposing that adults could opt out and access all Internet sites.

T-Mobile USA, in particular, has raised concerns. The Deutsche Telekom
AG unit paid about $4 billion a few years ago for nearby airwaves and
has complained that the free wireless Internet plan will likely result
in interference for consumers of its new 3G wireless network. The FCC
dismissed the company's interference concerns this fall, although
T-Mobile disagreed with that finding.

--
Gurumurthy Kasinathan
IT for Change
www.ITforChange.net
Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities
http://ITforChange.net <http://ITforChange.net> 
http://India.IS-Watch.net <http://India.IS-Watch.net> 
http://IS-Watch.net <http://IS-Watch.net> 
*IT for Change is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with United
Nations' Economic and Social Council*





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