Wireless Carriers: No Free Wireless Broadband for You

A little-noted July 25 deadline for comments is looming at the Federal Communications Commission. At stake is a plan by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin that would combine two spectrum blocks for auction and require the winning licensee to offer free broadband service to 50 percent of the United States within four years and 95 percent of the country within 10 years. Surprise! The nation's wireless carriers, including AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, and their primary trade association and Republican leaders in Congress are all opposing the FCC proposal. T-Mobile, in particular, claims the new network would create interference in its planned 3G service that would run next door to the FCC's proposed network.