The US Federal Communications Commission is reportedly considering a plan to allot part of the wireless spectrum to free broadband connections.
In a statement delivered at the Digital Inclusion Summit today, FCC Commissioner Michael Copps outlined potential means to achieve the goal of free or very low-cost broadband access. Copps stated that a possible way to make broadband access universal and cheap would be to “consider use of spectrum for a free or a very low cost wireless broadband service.”
Has the US decided to take the Finnish route and make broadband access a universal right?
Not quite, but close. Politicians, especially Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), have long trumpeted the need for universal broadband access. As Copps said in his remarks today, “there is no greater benefit that broadband can deliverthan its ability to help inform our civic dialogue and stimulate citizen engagement in our
And yet, the goal of universal broadband has remained out of reach. In 2008, the Wall Street Journal reported that this type of plan was approved, with rollout scheduled for 2010. However, that plan had stalled. While it’s not clear yet, it could be that this plan has been rubber stamped again.
Copps said that the details of this plan will be revealed in the National Broadband Plan, slated to be revealed next week. Until then, it’s tough to know what tack the FCC will take to make free broadband happen. Still, it’s a good sign to see this issue back before the committee again, and hopefully this time it will be successful.
Welcome to cloud computing then. This will lead to the triumph of Chrome OS!
All countries should provide free broadband, It makes economic sense to do so.
I’m laughing at the very thought of this.
This will NEVER happen in the US. The US is not based on European socialist models for its citizens (which are far superior to the US model). The US system is based on profit and this model will only be replaced when the very last dollar is squeezed from every fist – even if that fist is dead. There are far too many GOP and Teatard Party elected officials in the US to ever make a ‘broadband for everyone’ model a reality. If any Republican or Teatard ever uttered the words ‘free broadband for all’, they would be summarily executed by their constituents. I highly recommend that all of you reading this article familiarize yourself with the dog-eat-dog political system that exists in the US, where the watchword is every man for himself as long as he has plenty of cash or good credit.
It would still be profit. The plan is for a low free speed, and you have to pay for higher speeds.
You can bet with the US Government NOTHING IF EVER FREE. It aint gonna happen. NEVER. It will never be free. If the US Government gets their hands on it we will all pay. Look at the debt we have now. What moron came up with the idea of free internet. That time has passed. Move on.