Wifi Revolution

A proposal to create a free, national wireless Internet service using parts of a 25-MHz band in the 155 to 2175 MHz frequency range got a boost, as Federal Communications Commission engineers concluded that wireless broadband service in that band would not interfere with adjacent spectrum used by other carriers.

 

The Commission has initiated a proceeding to auction off Advanced Wireless Service in the 2155 to 2175 MHz band, referred to as AWS-3, to create a free, national wireless Internet service. The FCC (News - Alert) is expected to finalize rules this year and could begin auctioning off airwaves in early-to-mid 2009.

 

Other licensed spectrum holders object to the proposal, which would provide more competition to mobile broadband services offered on a commercial basis. In essence, the auction requirements, which mandate creation of a national, lifeline, “free” broadband access service, would create the equivalent of a national “no charge” access network.

 

Think of a free national WiFi (News - Alert) network, sort of a municipal WiFi network on steroids and you’ll get the idea.

 

What remains unclear is whether a viable revenue model can be built on the backs of such free service. Up to this point no ad-supported service offered on a municipal level, even with “free” spectrum costs, has proven viable.

 

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