Just as we’re all getting ready for Verizon Wireless and the other big winners of the recent 700Mhz spectrum auction to light-up their newly acquired spectrum for wireless broadband duty, the Federal Communications Commission is considering auctioning another 25Mhz swath of spectrum in the AWS III spectrum.
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin put forth a proposal to hold an auction for 25Mhz worth of wireless spectrum in the 2155-2180 MHz range – known as the AWS III (advanced wireless spectrum) frequency band. Mr. Martin said that the AWS III spectrum license would hold stipulations requiring the winning bidder to provide some sort of free service through the wireless spectrum. The service would have to cover 50% of the US population within 4 years and would have to reach 95% of the US by the time the license expires.
The free wireless broadband access stipulations attached to the proposed auction echoes plans put forth by M2Z Networks Inc. – plans that were previously shot down by the FCC.
If the auction pans out, we could finally have a federally-sanctioned free wireless broadband network in the US. It’s unclear whether there will be enough interest in the spectrum, given the stipulations. Further, it’s not clear how a free wireless broadband network could be made to work – perhaps through an ad-supported model. We’ll keep you guys up to date on the latest happenings in the AWS III space.
[Via: RCR News]