Outgoing Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin wants to offer free, pornography-free wireless Internet service to all Americans,
The Wall Street Journal reports, despite
widespread objections from Internet service providers and consumer groups.
The free Internet plan is the most controversial issue the agency will tackle this month; it is part of a proposal
to auction of a chunk of wireless spectrum. The winning bidder would be required to set aside a quarter of the airwaves for free Internet service that could be slower and would be required to filter
out pornography and other unsuitable material for children.
Consumer activist groups have objected to the idea of a pornography filter. To address these concerns, the FCC proposes that adults
have the option of opting out of the filter. ISPs, in particular, have objected to the idea of free Internet service. T-Mobile USA, a unit of Deutsche Telekom, worries that the free wireless plan will
result in interference for its 3G wireless network customers. The FCC dismissed those concerns earlier this year.
Read the whole story at The Wall Street Journal »