M2Z Networks pitches free national wireless broadband to FCC
by Paul Miller 
posted May 18th 2006 at 8:00AM
It might be a bit far-fetched, but M2Z Networks is offering an interesting deal to the FCC in exchange for a bit of that high priced spectrum that's about to be auctioned off. The plan is to provide free ad-supported national 512Kbps wireless broadband, along with a premium service, using the spectrum in the 2155-2175MHz band. In exchange for the spectrum use, M2Z would give the FCC five percent of their gross revenues. We wouldn't think the FCC would ditch their normal auction method for just any hair brained scheme, but M2Z was started by former FCC wireless head John Muleta and @Home founder Milo Medin, and claims to have access to $400 million in capital. Free national wireless broadband is also surely in the public's interest, so this just might work after all.[Via WNN]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Akakadak @ May 18th 2006 9:34AM
Wow, sounds like a great deal. This solution will do a lot to bridge the last mile gap. Isn't it interesting, that as broadcasters move to integrate the web in - this model take what the broadcasters have been doing for half a century and applying it to web access.
What goes around comes around.
andrew k. from AZ @ May 18th 2006 8:44PM
That's an extremely interesting proposition, but is it ethical/legal? I'm wondering if the Federal gov't can justify essentially killing off the competition in all these areas. Also working with private industry to provide this service, and not having a really clear relationship (e.g. I-pay-you-to-do-X) seems like a touchy issue. I'd love to hear what some Federal watchdogs (the EFF comes to mind) think about this proposal. Not to mention Verizon.