FCC clears the way for nationwide wireless web
FCC engineers say they have found no technical reason not to move forward on a proposed plan for a nationwide, free wireless Internet service . T-Mobile, which uses spectrum adjacent to the bands in question, had argued against the proposal, suggesting the new service‘s signals would interfere with the company‘s 3G wireless network.
The report clears the way for the FCC to move forward with a plan to auction off airwaves to a bidder who agrees to offer free, national wireless Internet service. The FCC is expected to finalize rules this year and could begin auctioning off airwaves in early-to-mid 2009.
T-Mobile has fought FCC Chairman Kevin Martin’s proposal to encourage development of free Web access by raising concerns that the service would disrupt the company’s 3G wireless network, for which it charges customers. But FCC engineers said recent tests in Seattle showed the airwaves could be used for a wireless broadband service “without a significant risk of harmful interference.”
“This report confirms that we’re able to move forward with broadband services as proposed by Chairman Martin without causing harmful interference to license users of adjacent spectrum,” said an FCC spokesman.
The network would have to reach 50% of the U.S. population in four years and 95% within a decade.