Legislators Try To Find Loophole For Spectrum Auction After Canceled FCC Meeting

Friday, Dec 19, 2008

After the FCC canceled a meeting to vote on whether they should go forward with auctioning off spectrum to mandate a free nationwide wireless network, late yesterday, Congressmen Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) and Edolphus Towns (D-NY) reopened the issue by finding a loophole in the system. The two delivered a letter to FCC Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein requesting that they immediately vote on the AWS-3 spectrum item since the open meeting scheduled for today was canceled. If the commissioners vote on the matter, the item has a chance to be adopted “on circulation” rather than during an open meeting.

The two congressmen wrote in the letter: “In order for the AWS-3 item to be resolved in a timely manner, it must be adopted on circulation. We request that you resolve this matter on circulation in the near term by immediately adopting rules for a free nationwide wireless broadband network that will provide all Americans with high speed data services.”

The plan to require the winning bidder to use 25 percent of the spectrum to provide a free nationwide wireless network with porn filters in place is extremely controversial. Some wonder if there should be limitations set on the spectrum, and others wonder if its financially feasible. The one big proponent of the plan is M2Z Networks, which anticipates participating in the auction, and has mapped out a plan that would provide a free but slower wireless broadband experience, while a more robust one would cost a fee.

Source: Moconews