Will Internet ever be free?
I recently talked about the proposed plan to bring free Internet to the masses with the FCC selling off existing unused spectrum bands. It seems like such a service will not be coming any time soon, mainly due to the failure of the auction as well as the growing list of concerns lobbied by protestors.
I wrote a story a few weeks ago where I indicated that a meeting to vote on selling the spectrum to provide free Internet service was blocked. There seems to be several main opponents to such a move such as T-Mobile, and civil rights groups.
It looks like the move towards a free Internet service will not be happening anytime soon as the FCC will not be selling off the equipments right now. FCC chairman Kevin Martin, came under scrutiny due to allegations of mismanagement. According to PCMag The auction did not even attract the right number of bids. Earlier this year, the FCC was able to sell off the 700-MHz band spectrum, which attracted $19.6 billion in bids. However, due to uncertainty, the bid to sell off the remaining spectrum to provide free Internet service only attracted a meager $472 million in comparison.
According to Martin the reason for the lackluster bid was due to the fact the “FCC put too much uncertainty and too much burden” on the d-block. Martin admitted later that this was a huge error on his part. When President-elect Barack Obama takes office, it is assumed that Martin will be replaced with an Democratic candidate.
The way things are moving along, we may never get free Internet service. It was certainly an interesting dream, even though in the end it did not come true. Hopefully this idea will resurface again in the not too distant future. I am curious to see what kind of agenda the new FCC Chairman will have.
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January 11th, 2009
We did have free internet in 1999. It was called Net Zero and it was a dial up ISP. It was advertiser supported with a advertising banner across the top of the screen.
If you tried to move the banner off the screen you were kicked off the internet. It was great as either a back up to your regular ISP, or some actually used it as their main ISP.
There is a site called cheapandfreeisp.com which lists some areas that still have free dial up internet.
January 11th, 2009
We provide free wireless internet in Branson Mo and it is ad sponsered as well. We have considered blocking Firefox and it is too easy to block the ads with firefox and the service has to be paid for some how. if you want to check out what we are doing, go to http://www.internet4everyone.net
November 28th, 2011
I remember Net Zero. “A Human Right” is trying to buy a satellite to offer free internet:
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/02/10/group-plans-provide-internet-access-entire-world/#disqus_thread