FCC REJECTS FREE WI-FI START-UP'S SPECTRUM PLANS
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com 9/1, AUTHOR: Anne Broache]
A Silicon Valley start-up that sought permission to build a "free,
family-friendly" wireless Internet service on a stretch of unused radio
spectrum has been shot down by federal regulators. Late Friday, the Federal
Communications Commission rejected a nearly 16-month-old petition by Menlo
Park, Calif.-based M2Z Networks to receive an exclusive, 15-year license to
build and operate such a network in the 2155MHz-to-2175MHz band, in return for
depositing a portion of its revenues into the U.S. Treasury. In the same order,
the FCC also rejected a similar proposal from a company called NetFreeUS. The
FCC said it wasn't persuaded that allowing a single company to control the
slice of spectrum without first seeking broader comment on how the band should
be used would serve the public interest. The regulators concluded that it's
preferable to conduct their usual rule-making process to set parameters for the
spectrum's use -- a move that would begin "shortly."
http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9770197-7.html
* FCC Press Release
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-161A1.doc
* Chairman Martin:
"As several commenters have urged in recent days, the public interest is best
served by considering fully the best use of this spectrum in a Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking, rather than through forbearance petitions seeking
exclusive use for a single entity filed by M2Z and NetfreeUS."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-161A2.doc
* Commissioner Copps:
"I believe that the proper way to allocate this spectrum-in the manner that
best serves the public interest-is to conduct a general rulemaking, which the
Commission will initiate shortly. Such a rulemaking should consider the
following options: (1) opening this band to unlicensed use, as has proved so
productive in other bands; (2) designating it for an open access model that
would combine wholesale broadband access and a Carterfone mandate; (3) using it
to provide free, advertiser-supported broadband service (as initially proposed
by M2Z and one other applicant) as well as a fee-based premium broadband
service; or (4) allocating it through a traditional, largely unconditioned
auction."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-161A3.doc
* Commissioner Adelstein:
"So I'm disappointed that despite the aggressive interest in and availability
of this spectrum, the Commission is only now expressing its intent to seek
comment on service rules for this band. I am also concerned that we have not
considered more seriously M2Z's proposal as offering a new technology or
service under Section 7 of the Communications Act."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-161A4.doc
* Do you M2Z?
[SOURCE: Lasar's Letter on the FCC, AUTHOR: Matthew Lasar]
http://www.lasarletter.net/drupal/node/454
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