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Republican congressman Chris Cannon and Democractic congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo this week introduced the wireless internet Nationwide (WIN) for Families Act, which would require the FCC to auction off unused spectrum for a nationwide network offering free Internet access with family-friendly content filters.

Eshoo says the bill is a response to the results of the 700 MHz auction. "By every measure, the U.S. is losing the international broadband race and our competitiveness as a nation is at stake... the results of the 700 MHz auction disappointed many of us who hoped that a new entrant would emerge," she said in a statement. "70% of the spectrum auctioned went to only two carriers. While the auction required under this legislation is open to anyone, it is my hope that the bold conditions of requiring free, family friendly service will encourage the entry of a new kind of national broadband service provider."

Gizmodo's Wilson Rothman, however, isn't optimistic about the bill's prospects. "You want some well-heeled for-profit corporation to pay potentially billions for the privilege of hastily launching a network that it can't charge money for, and let competitors provide devices for it, again for no extra money?" he asks. "I don't think so. I'm not pro-corporation, so much as I am pro-reality."

"The bill is sure to be opposed by at least some Internet service providers who will chafe at the increased competition from a free nationwide carrier," adds the Salt Lake Tribune's Matt Canham.

More here from RCR Wireless News ... more here from CNET News ... and the press release is here.