Free Web For All Americans – Will It Happen?
The outgoing chairman for the FCC, Kevin Martin, is pushing for a free web for all Americans. His proposal is to have a free wireless Internet access for everyone. He is hoping to have this pushed through during this month and before his term ends.
According to this article it also states that:
The free Internet plan is the most controversial issue the agency will tackle in December. Mr. Martin shelved plans to consider a wider variety of sticky issues pending at the agency, including a request by the Hollywood studios to hobble TVs and set-top boxes so studios can offer copy-protected theatrical releases sooner.
The proposal to allow a no-smut, free wireless Internet service is part of a proposal to auction off a chunk of airwaves. The winning bidder would be required to set aside a quarter of the airwaves for a free Internet service. The winner could establish a paid service that would have a fast wireless Internet connection. The free service could be slower and would be required to filter out pornography and other material not suitable for children. The FCC’s proposal mirrors a plan offered by M2Z Networks Inc., a start-up backed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers partner John Doerr.
Though his plan is commendable, in this time of economic hardships, it may be hard to get passed. But what do you think? Will the FCC be able to get this passed and approved?
Comments welcome.
5 Comments
zenium
December 1st, 2008
at 7:10pm
Do we want it passed? Whenever I see the term ‘free’ I have to wonder what’s in it for them.
Free now days just means you give up more privacy so advertiser and governments have an easier time to collect more information about you.
Ron Schenone
December 2nd, 2008
at 5:54am
Good point.
Jessica
December 3rd, 2008
at 4:27pm
It would be nice to have a free Internet access for everyone!
dizzeedudlee
December 6th, 2008
at 10:18am
I agree that internet access should be free for everyone;even high speed broadband.Many things that we do,in our daily lives,are becoming more & more dependent,on the internet.Most websites you go to,no matter what ISP you have,show advertisements.The companies,that sell the space,to the advertisers,should pay a percentage(or a bigger percentage)of their sales,to the ISP,as an access fee.These fees would then be used as a substitute for ISP user subscriber fees. I’m not completely in agreement,with censoring adult content.What may be considered “adult” by one person,may not be thought of,as the same,by someone else;& you get into a slippery slope.I personally do not go to sex sites,but I have gone to some sites,including Lockergnome,& because of some software,I have on my PC,have been classified as adult.I feel that it is up to parents & guardians to monitor children’s web usage, There are plenty of(many free)software & hardware programs,that can help filter out unwanted websites.Cable & phone companies charge too much for internet access now – especially for middle & lower income people.If the government doesn’t step in,to require free high-speed,with a reasonable usage cap.like Comcast has(no,I’m NOT a Comcast fan);then the prices will continue to soar.
As a side thought;if the cable,satellite & phone companies,would charge the programmers access fees,instead of it being the other way around;we wouldn’t have to pay to watch commercials.Without the cable,satellite & phone providers;the programmers(like ESPN,FX,DISCOVERY,MTV etc.)wouldn’t have any way of getting their shows televised – just a thought
Ron Schenone
December 6th, 2008
at 10:25am
Thanks for the comments.