FCC Free Internet Plan Blocked by White House

Last week we said that the FCC wanted to give free broadband to all Americans and was planing to move forward with the idea. The U.S. Department of Commerce and the White House has opposed the FCC's plans for give free wireless Internet to all. They stated that the FCC spectrum auctions illustrated increased potential for problems when licensing is "overly prescriptive or designed around unproven business models. he proposal would allow free wireless Internet service over the soon to be auctioned off chunk of airwaves. The winning bidder must then set aside a quarter of the airwaves for free internet access for all.

The winning bid could choose to do with the remaining for what they wish of, such as paid for services. The free service would require filtered access that filters out pornography and other material not suitable for children. Many consumer advocates are opposed of the filtering but the FCC says it may decide to allow adults to opt-out of the filtering to access all sites.

Providers oppose the plan stating that competition should drive growth and help support the cost of building networks, not the government. Not only does the commerce department oppose it but so does President Bush according to Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez.

So much for free internet.