December 3, 2008 by Matt Thomas
The dream of free broadband across the US is a step closer to becoming a reality today after a debate lasting two years has finally led to a vote on the issue being scheduled. If the vote passes and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approves the plan then free broadband could be rolled out across America before 2009 is out.
The free broadband plan revolves around the AWS-3 segment of airwaves which are currently not being used. About 25% of the AWS-3 would need to be designated for free wireless broadband use. Whoever eventually buys the airwaves would be required by the terms of the sale to honour this usage policy. They would not however, be restricted from charging for premium broadband or other services in addition to the basic free connection provide by the state. Ownership of AWS-3 will be decided by auction next year.
The plan is predicted to benefit rural users in particular. Many rural Internet users are still forced by geography to use dial up Internet connections which struggle to handle web 2.0 features like streaming video. As a result, many of them are in danger of being left behind as the Internet advances at a pace they cannot match.
Internet providers on the other hand are, unsurprisingly, not so keen, particularly T-Mobile who bought the spectrum next to AWS-3 for $4 billion dollars in 2006.
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