FCC Okays Free Nationwide Wi-Fi
The FCC has published the results of a study [PDF file] finding that there's little chance of a free wireless broadband service interfering with established carriers' offerings, clearing the way for the eventual launch of such a service… someday.
"The commission had considered auctioning off the frequencies in the 2,155-2,175 MHz band and requiring the winner to offer free Wi-Fi across the United States," explains InformationWeek's Marin Perez. "Wireless carriers had been opposed to this initiative because of potential interference."
Still, Wired's Betsy Schiffman doesn't recommend holding your breath. "The tests the FCC ran in September – and released on Friday – basically just suggest that it's technically possible to run a Wi-Fi network using the designated spectrum," she writes. "The commissioners still have to agree on how (or if) the spectrum should be used, and how (or if) the spectrum auction should be set up."
And ZDNet's Andrew Nusca agrees. "Look, I'm as optimistic as the next guy, and I really love the idea of a blanket of national, widespread Wi-Fi, much less free," he writes. "But if we can't get such a plan going in Houston, San Francisco, Philadelphia or New York, just how are we going to justify doing it to the whole country? Much less monetize it?"
More here from PC World … more here from eWeek … more here from CNET News … more here from AFP … more here from VNUnet … and more here from the WSJ.
Wireless Services said:
Oct 16, 08 at 3:53 amHi,
FCC says that federal radio signal make no effect of interference on local signals. But if it is not properly done, users of wireless services will have to face problems with low bandwidths and incorrect frequencies.