[TowerTalk] Not directly tower related, FCC to require FREE wireless Broadband access.

[K4SAV]

It was slot at 700 MHz where TV channels 51 thru 69 used to be.  The 
auction netted $19.6 billion.
CQ June 2008, page 68.

Leif Ericksen wrote:

>It seems that the FCC is going to auction off some space around 25MHz
>and require the winner build a national wireless network and offer free
>wireless access of of it.
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>http://www.wirelessweek.com/FCC-Free-Wireless-Broadband.aspx
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>
>Here is a cut and paste from the above link:
>
>The FCC is reportedly considering a plan to auction off more airwaves,
>this time with the stipulation that the winner would provide free
>broadband Internet access to the whole country. A tall order considering
>the winning bidder would be paying for the right to build a national
>wireless network and then paying to provide free service to millions of
>Americans.
>
>The airwaves in question are a 25 MHz block, and the commission would
>require that at least a portion of the airwaves be set aside for free
>Internet access. The winning bidder would have four years to build out
>its network to at least 50% of the population and within 10 years would
>be required to reach 95% of the United States population.
>
>So far, no part of the commission’s plan explaining how a company would
>fund this effort has been reported. Skeptics also have cited that most
>major wireless providers have just refreshed their spectrum holdings at
>the commission’s most recent auction, or through acquisitions. These
>objections, however, do not rule out that some companies would still be
>interested.
>
>Startup M2Z Networks proposed a similar plan to the FCC last year, only
>it wanted the spectrum for free. The company hoped it could pay for the
>expense of building the network through advertising dollars and selling
>subscriptions for consumers who wanted faster service. M2Z also offered
>to pay the U.S. Treasury 5% of its revenue for use of the airwaves.
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>I can see it now linear amplifiers for 25 MHz so that you have some
>power to make your network work!
>
>--
>Leif Ericksen
>73 DE N9SRW
>Donations for a tower and my XYL's desired make over accepted at:
>https://cipsecurity.us/ham/ 
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