Kevin Martin the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission has proposed to offer free access to airwaves unlicensed for innovators. Companies buying license to channels are required to meet tough demands towards building a strong Internet network nationwide.
Auction of airwaves pending is now linked to this proposal. December 18th will see the FCC voting on the sale rules. According to Mr. Martin, at least twenty five percent of the spectrum should be allotted by the company buying the airwaves towards free Internet access which will service 95 percent of the country. Users under 18 years of age will have access to absolutely free Internet service. Adults could avail of this by opting for the filter that blocks pornographic content.
Two versions of the auction have been circulated. One version comes with the unlicensed provision and one without. This will be reviewed before the meeting by a body consisting of five members. FCC will vote on the version chosen by the commissioners.
In a bid to promote free access of Internet for users Mr. Martin proposes to make the nationwide license available to airwaves rather than to entrepreneurs. Added incentive is offered to the owner of channels in the form of a promise to give away airwaves after five years in places where there is no Internet network.
According to Mr. Martin, both versions contain a provision of use it or lose it which entails that in places without Internet access, spectrum will not be accessible to the owners. They will however continue with the areas they have built up on.
