FCC Chairman Martin wants free broadband available across USA, especially rural areas

High-speed Internet access is so important to the welfare of U.S. consumers that America can’t afford not to offer it — free of charge — to anybody who wants it, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin says.

"There’s a social obligation in making sure everybody can participate in the next generation of broadband services because, increasingly, that’s what people want," he says.

Martin hopes to use a chunk of wireless airwaves due to hit the auction block next year to help turn his vision into reality. Some cellphone operators are objecting.

By attaching a "free broadband" condition to the sale of the spectrum, known as AWS-3 (for advanced wireless services-3), Martin thinks he can help drive broadband adoption in rural areas in particular.

By Leslie Cauley, USA TODAY

Full Story: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2008-08-19-fcc-martin_N.htm