WASHINGTON, DC — In a bid to both expand broadband internet access and “clean up the Web,” the Federal Communications Commission may auction a portion of the wireless airwaves to be used for free broadband without porn.FCC Chairman Kevin Martin proposed the auction, which will offer an unused piece of the 25-megahertz spectrum. The winner must dedicate part of the block to free broadband service that filters all “obscene” content at the source. The rest can be used for commercial services.
The plan also calls for the winning bidder to build a system capable of serving 50-percent of the U.S. population within four years and 95-percent within 10 years.
“We’re hoping there will be increased interest in the proposal, and because this will provide wireless broadband services to more Americans, it is certainly something we want to see,” FCC spokesman Rob Kenny told Reuters.
The Martin plan is one way the FCC sees to counter public criticism that it hasn’t done enough to make broadband internet service available to more U.S. households. It also might draw praise from social conservatives and obscenity watchdogs.
The only group that doesn’t seem excited about the plan — other than pornographers — is wireless carriers. CTIA, the Wireless Association, the trade group for the cellular industry, called the free-service requirement “too rigid.”
The 25-MHz spectrum is not considered nearly as attractive as the 700-MHz spectrum auctioned earlier this year.
Martin’s plan is expected to go before the FCC during its June 12th meeting.
