Government proposes free WIFI over government airwaves

[oragator1]

This would be really cool. The fight will be google and Microsoft vs. Verizon, ATT, etc.

The federal government wants to create super WiFi networks across the nation, so powerful and broad in reach that consumers could use them to make calls or surf the Internet without paying a cellphone bill every month.
The proposal from the Federal Communications Commission has rattled the $178 billion wireless industry, which has launched a fierce lobbying effort to persuade policymakers to reconsider the idea, analysts say. That has been countered by an equally intense campaign from Google, Microsoft and other tech giants who say a free-for-all WiFi service would spark an explosion of innovations and devices that would benefit most Americans, especially the poor.
The airwaves that FCC officials want to hand over to the public would be much more powerful than existing WiFi networks that have become common in households. They could penetrate thick concrete walls and travel over hills and around trees. If all goes as planned, free access to the Web would be available in just about every metropolitan area and in many rural areas.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/tech-telecom-giants-take-sides-as-fcc-proposes-large-public-wifi-networks/2013/02/03/eb27d3e0-698b-11e2-ada3-d86a4806d5ee_story.html

[surfn1080]

If govt has it hands on it, it would suck...

[kygator]

If govt has it hands on it, it would suck...

And yet, still cost a lot of money.

[thedyc09]

I'm all for it. Telecom giants are among the worst companies in the world. Put a tower in my backyard and I'll gladly tell Comcast where to stick it. I know that Estonia leads the world in average internet speed, so there's no reason major metropolitan areas can't copy whatever they're doing.

The average download speed in Estonia: 46.35 Mbps

The average download speed in America (as of 2010): 3 Mbps

[gregthegator]

Much easier TO RECORD all conversations THAT way...program in just like THE show..."Person of Interest"....just EVEN more ability to TRACK you:nervous smile:

[orangeblueorangeblue]

If govt has it hands on it, it would suck...

Well the government sure has its hands in the Internet in general. Make of that what you will.

[wgbgator]

If govt has it hands on it, it would suck...

In private hands, our wi-fi & data services are already pretty terrible as it stands.

[MichiGator2002]

First thought I had was "reasonable expectation of privacy". Second was "worst ISP ever".

[gregthegator]

In private hands, our wi-fi & data services are already pretty terrible as it stands.

Yes....gov't makes EVERYTHING better 'eh....like package delivery and postal service...

or ask any Vet about the VA vs seeing other docs

[wgbgator]

Yes....gov't makes EVERYTHING better 'eh....like package delivery and postal service...

or ask any Vet about the VA vs seeing other docs

If the private sector is great at ISP & data service, it should have no problem competing with the lousy gov't.

[MichiGator2002]

Its this type of reflexive idiocy that stands in the way of good policy. If the private sector is great at ISP & data service, it should have no problem competing with the lousy gov't.

The government has no business getting into the ISP business in the first place, whether they think they would he good at it or not.

But seriously, do you have any reason to think they would do better than they do against FedEx or UPS?

[ChartsandGrafs]

If the private sector is great at ISP & data service, it should have no problem competing with the lousy gov't.

Yeah, that's some fair competition alright. The private sector actually has to develop quality goods and services to earn a buck, while the government can just steal it.

[wgbgator]

The government has no business getting into the ISP business in the first place, whether they think they would he good at it or not.

But seriously, do you have any reason to think they would do better than they do against FedEx or UPS?

Yeah, yeah. The gov't has no business in anything other than what you think it has business in.

I use the US mail and FedEx & UPS regularly. They all seem to coexist and I have really no major complaints about the service from any of them.

[wgbgator]

Yeah, that's some fair competition alright. The private sector actually has to develop quality goods and services to earn a buck, while the government can just steal it.

So, you're saying that the private sector cant compete with gov't? :joecool:

[magnafides]

If the private sector is great at ISP & data service, it should have no problem competing with the lousy gov't.

In the few cases where local government has built a municipal broadband network (and the incumbents haven't successfully lobbied to block it), they've been able to provide better service for less money. With that said, the real problem here is lack of competition in a natural monopoly. Service providers are charging more and more, even as capital expenditure and marginal cost decrease.

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Get your government hands off my Internet!

[ChartsandGrafs]

So, you're saying that the private sector cant compete with gov't? :joecool:

Why, do you think the government can compete with the private sector without threats, coercion, and stealing?

[wargunfan]

There would be huge costs to set up and run this putative government surveillance system which would be passed on to all tax payers whether or not they used the system. I say keep it in the private sector where real jobs would be created and some privacy can be expected.

[Row6]

May or may not be a good idea, depending on details and putting aside knee jerk anti-government rants. It is true that the US lags behind the rest of the world in wireless service, including many third world countries, and that a unified national system could provide the means for advancement in many untold ways across the nation, much as does the federal interstate highway system and as did the Rural Electrification Administration in the 1930's.

[mdgator05]

Get your government hands off my Internet!

Yah I use the private Internet not that awful government Internet. It is so much better. There are like 3 of us on it, and, trust me, it is awesome.

[magnafides]

I say keep it in the private sector where real jobs would be created and some privacy can be expected.

That's not good enough. Service providers here have done a great job of making money, but not such a good job keeping up with the rest of the world. Maybe someday the private sector here will figure out how to provide broadband as well as they do in Ukraine...

[MichiGator2002]

Yeah, yeah. The gov't has no business in anything other than what you think it has business in.

I use the US mail and FedEx & UPS regularly. They all seem to coexist and I have really no major complaints about the service from any of them.

No, it has no business in anything other than its very specific and straightforward charter says it has business in. Rule of law and all that prosaic nonsense.

[oragator1]

For those wondering whether the government airwaves could be efficient, they are the exact same airwaves that were used for TV broadcasting for several generations, and almost no one ever complained about their effectiveness.
Imagine all of that money currently spent on a product that doesn't in itself create anything being pumped back into the economy for tangible goods, and think about all of the additional people with Internet access, for learning , entrepreneurship, communication etc., plus the flexibility and cost savings it would provide current businesses. Yes it would mean some loss of jobs at large companies, but the benefits would be huge.

[mdgator05]

For those wondering whether the government airwaves could be efficient, they are the exact same airwaves that were used for TV broadcasting for several generations, and almost no one ever complained about their effectiveness.
Imagine all of that money currently spent on a product that doesn't in itself create anything being pumped back into the economy for tangible goods, and think about all of the additional people with Internet access, for learning , entrepreneurship, communication etc., plus the flexibility and cost savings it would provide current businesses. Yes it would mean some loss of jobs at large companies, but the benefits would be huge.

I'd personally be surprised if this ends up being more than a threat in the face of an end to network neutrality. Google, Mozilla, and company get to keep network neutrality. The major telecoms get to keep their Internet sales business.

[96Gatorcise]

http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20121119-906125.html

Bristol, Tennessee goes super high-speed with 1 Gigabit broadband network

[96Gatorcise]

http://chattanoogagig.com/

Why did we do it? In Chattanooga, we have a legacy of taking bold steps that benefit our community. When Volkswagen announced Chattanooga as its headquarters for North American manufacturing, and Amazon.com chose our city for their new distribution centers, it was a nice confirmation that we're on the right track.

But we're just getting started. Because everything we create - from infrastructure to opportunity - we build of, by and for our community.


And we are looking for people to join us. We're open for business.

Using high speed tech to bring jobs to their city...

[Lawdog88]

As long as they can use the new, powerful, wi-fi technology to figure out who has guns and who doesn't, I'm down wid dat.

[uftaipan]

I think this is a great idea. First, though, we need to assert that wifi is some kind of universal human right that the government is responsible to provide for everyone who resides within these borders, citizen or not. We don't even need a constitutional amendment; if we just assert it loud enough and long enough, then it will just become the truth. Then we need to pass a 53%-payer -- er, scratch that; I meant, a single-payer -- system to fund this outstanding idea. I don't even think it should end there. Just think of all the good we can do if we just declare every privilege or individual responsibility a universal right of some kind. I'm stoked, I tell you.

[MichiGator2002]

http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20121119-906125.html

Bristol, Tennessee goes super high-speed with 1 Gigabit broadband network

Nice to see a government that at least has a legitimate claim of legal authority for this kind of boutique service being the one to provide it.

This is a perfect example of the sort of thing Congress could take on by block granting it to states -- a valid exercise of the spending power to encourage a valid exercise of the police power by those that actually have it. That isn't to say that I want the federal government spending money on it at all, but it would at least be a way to do it that doesn't try to warp the scope of Congress' power yet again.

[RealGatorFan]

The frickin way!!! That means all traffic would go through their filters so as long as you tow the party line, you are ok.

[baygator1]

May or may not be a good idea, depending on details and putting aside knee jerk anti-government rants. It is true that the US lags behind the rest of the world in wireless service, including many third world countries, and that a unified national system could provide the means for advancement in many untold ways across the nation, much as does the federal interstate highway system and as did the Rural Electrification Administration in the 1930's.

I'm not sure I'd equate the government handling/controlling private communication between citizens with interstate highways or providing electricity to rural areas. I'd also be wary about what would really be advanced in that scenario.

[Gatorrick22]

If govt has it hands on it, it would suck...

:laugh::laugh::yes:

[Gatorrick22]

And yet, still cost a lot of money.

They'll wait until a large populace of Americans actually use it then introduce 'SERVICE' fees...... for revenue. This is the perfect way for the government to "takeover" another industry.

[thedyc09]

I think this is a great idea. First, though, we need to assert that wifi is some kind of universal human right that the government is responsible to provide for everyone who resides within these borders, citizen or not.

I know this is obviously sarcasm, but there are very many people who would agree with this.

I take it that you are thinking of "the internet" as a good or service, and that your monthly subscription to your ISP is like buying a Coke at McDonalds with free refills. You pay a fee, and for that you get to access the internet unlimited times until the next month. Under this line of thinking, the idea of the government providing wifi access is like the government opening McFederaldonalds and selling (subsidized) Cokes for 25 cents less (but the syrup runs out faster and the lines are longer).

There is an alternate line of thinking that imagines "the internet" as much larger concept - something more like "news" + "information" + "speech" + "education" + "expression". I use those words specifically because they are all things that we, as a society, have pretty much become accustomed to having a realistic expectation of access to. Suddenly, telecom ISPs start sounding a lot more like private schools versus the government public school.

[magnafides]

...and to absolutely nobody's surprise, it turns out that the media blew this more than a little bit out of proportion:

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/02/no-free-wi-fi-isnt-coming-to-every-us-city/

[Swampmaster]

with govt wifi, will govt agents monitor all wifi communication?

[Row6]

I'm not sure I'd equate the government handling/controlling private communication between citizens with interstate highways or providing electricity to rural areas. I'd also be wary about what would really be advanced in that scenario.

As I noted in my post, the devil would be in the details, and among those would have to be safeguarding privacy and security against abusing access by the government and anyone else. Otherwise, like utilities and roads, which benefit all citizens, and whose implementations are difficult if not impossible by private business, a national wi-fi system could be of immense importance for business and educational usage.

[Gatorrick22]

As I noted in my post, the devil would be in the details, and among those would have to be safeguarding privacy and security against abusing access by the government and anyone else. Otherwise, like utilities and roads, which benefit all citizens, and whose implementations are difficult if not impossible by private business, a national wi-fi system could be of immense importance for business and educational usage.

Year right, the last time the big bad government decided to "help" our country's citizens was by attempting to implement a Pub Idea of lowering the cost of healthcare........ Instead of lowering the price that actually accelerated the costs and then they took it over completely.

And you want us to believe the government again? We know the definition of insanity, maybe you should look it up again to refresh your memory of it.

[Swampmaster]

to "stimulate" the economy and help big connected auto dealers, how about another $3 billion "cash for clunkers" program?

[Row6]

Year right, the last time the big bad government decided to "help" our country's citizens country was by attempting to implement a Pub Idea of lowering the cost of healthcare........ Instead of lowering the price that actually accelerated to costs and took it over completely.

And you want us to believe the government again? We know the definition of insanity, maybe you should look it up again to refresh your memory of it.

Perhaps you have never heard of the interstate highway system, the Rural Electrification Administration, Hoover Damn, Oak Ridge Nuclear Power facility, or all the even earlier governmental utilities which helped us become the worlds breadbasket and industrial powerhouse. But closer to home, maybe you think UF, that bastion of socialized higher education is more expensive and less efficient than it's private competitors. You should get that knee jerk looked at.

[orangeblueorangeblue]

to "stimulate" the economy and help big connected auto dealers, how about another $3 billion "cash for clunkers" program?

Another insightful point that makes us all really think.

[Gatorrick22]

Perhaps you have never heard of the interstate highway system, the Rural Electrification Administration, Hoover Damn, Oak Ridge Nuclear Power facility, or all the even earlier governmental utilities which helped us become the worlds breadbasket and industrial powerhouse. But closer to home, maybe you think UF, that bastion of socialized higher education is more expensive and less efficient than it's private competitors. You should get that knee jerk looked at.

Are these are the same 'highways" that the Dems in Florida, are trying to put tolls on?

And stop confusing the great acts of POTUS' in the past with this clown in the WH.

Not all government project are 'revenue rich,' and not all governments (like Obama's) have the same altruistic approach to making things better for all Americans without tapping into more 'revenue'.

The days of making things for all of us to enjoy and taking nothing in return are long gone - it's not the way Obama and his tax and spend Leftists operate.

The Leftists love to spend money that they don't have, and they need more money (tax revenue) to keep up their spending habits. This 'new idea' is nothing more than a Trojan horse of taxes for all of us to be forced to pay.

Insanity - look it up.

[gatorpa]

Much easier TO RECORD all conversations THAT way...program in just like THE show..."Person of Interest"....just EVEN more ability to TRACK you:nervous smile:

TRUE

[Row6]

Are these are the same 'highways" that the Dems in Florida, are trying to put tolls on?

And stop confusing the great acts of POTUS' in the past with this clown in the WH.

Not all government project are 'revenue rich,' and not all governments (like Obama's) have the same altruistic approach to making things better for all Americans without tapping into more 'revenue'.

The days of making things for all of us to enjoy and taking nothing in return are long gone - it's not the way Obama and his tax and spend Leftists operate.

The Leftists love to spend money that they don't have, and they need more money (tax revenue) to keep up their spending habits. This 'new idea' is nothing more than a Trojan horse of taxes for all of us to be forced to pay.

Insanity - look it up.

So your previous rant about the government was only the government under President Obama. Please make that more clear in future posts.

[DaveFla]

Now this:


A cellphone company whose top executive has close ties to President Obama lobbied for and won a piece of a major new government push to provide Internet service to low-income job-seekers, even though critics say the company’s smartphones are poorly suited to the task of helping those in the program find work.

The program’s supporters tout it as a way for the unemployed to learn technical skills, to prepare resumes and to search for jobs, but one of the 14 pilot contracts that the FCC awarded went to Miami-based TracFone Wireless Inc.

TracFone CEO F.J. Pollak has been a frequent White House visitor and his wife Abigail has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for both Mr. Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns.

And although TracFone had originally lobbied for the program, critics say its contract would not provide recipients with skills-boosting computers and services, but would supply high-end Android phones, ready to play games and browse Facebook but doing little in the way of getting a job.


Nice.

Now, I expect ALL of you who bitched about the Cheney/Halliburtun ties to speak out agains this one too...

I won't hold my breath.


Read more: http://p.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/feb/5/obama-crony-wins-contract-to-give-phones-to-jobles/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS#ixzz2K8JunHEs

[Gatorrick22]

So your previous rant about the government was only the government under President Obama. Please make that more clear in future posts.

Just read it carefully!

And, you should try and remember who the current POTUS is on your own, that way I wont have to remind you every time I post.

Eisenhower, a Pub POTUS, was responsible for our nation's highway system. Obama has nothing to show for the trillions he's raped America for..... Of course it's about Obama - and his complete and utter failure as a POTUS.

[Row6]

Just read it carefully!

And, you should try and remember who the current POTUS is on your own, that way I wont have to remind you every time I post.

Eisenhower, a Pub POTUS, was responsible for our nation's highway system. Obama has nothing to show for the trillions he's raped America for..... Of course it's about Obama - and his complete and utter failure as a POTUS.

I'm glad that we agree on the high value of big government programs like the interstate highway system, Rural Electrification, Oak Ridge, Hoover Dam, myriad local and state government utility creations, and UF, even if we disagree on our present Commissar..., I mean president. Here's to a new Socialist Future, comrade!

[oaklandroadie]

The interstate highway system wasn't built for the "people". That was a side effect. Anyone with rudimentary post-WWII history knowledge should know this.

[gator421]

The interstate highway system wasn't built for the "people". That was a side effect. Anyone with rudimentary post-WWII history knowledge should know this.

At least they get to use it.

[Row6]

The interstate highway system wasn't built for the "people". That was a side effect. Anyone with rudimentary post-WWII history knowledge should know this.

You are wrong. While defense was one reason for the construction - as part of a national highway system begun early in the century - it was not the only, or main reason. Eisenhower liked it for that reason, but not for it alone. In any case, who cares?

[DaveFla]

As long as they can use the new, powerful, wi-fi technology to figure out who has guns and who doesn't, I'm down wid dat.

This, and where those guns are located, in real time, 24/7.

[DaveFla]

Are these are the same 'highways" that the Dems in Florida, are trying to put tolls on?

And stop confusing the great acts of POTUS' in the past with this clown in the WH.

Not all government project are 'revenue rich,' and not all governments (like Obama's) have the same altruistic approach to making things better for all Americans without tapping into more 'revenue'.

The days of making things for all of us to enjoy and taking nothing in return are long gone - it's not the way Obama and his tax and spend Leftists operate.

The Leftists love to spend money that they don't have, and they need more money (tax revenue) to keep up their spending habits. This 'new idea' is nothing more than a Trojan horse of taxes for all of us to be forced to pay.

Insanity - look it up.

You beat me to it... Just this week, a story about how the local government(?) wants to make I-4 a toll road through the middle of Orlando.

I remember when they built the East-West Expressway. It was sold as a toll road, but for only 12 years until it was paid for. Then the tolls would be removed, and it would become a free highway...

That was, what? 40 years ago?

[rivergator]

Are these are the same 'highways" that the Dems in Florida, are trying to put tolls on?

And stop confusing the great acts of POTUS' in the past with this clown in the WH.

Not all government project are 'revenue rich,' and not all governments (like Obama's) have the same altruistic approach to making things better for all Americans without tapping into more 'revenue'.

The days of making things for all of us to enjoy and taking nothing in return are long gone - it's not the way Obama and his tax and spend Leftists operate.

The Leftists love to spend money that they don't have, and they need more money (tax revenue) to keep up their spending habits. This 'new idea' is nothing more than a Trojan horse of taxes for all of us to be forced to pay.

Insanity - look it up.

the bill to add tolls to the interstate around Jax was sponsored by a Republican, passed by a Republican-controlled legislature and signed by a Republican governor.

link (http://jacksonville.com/news/florida/2012-06-14/story/toll-roads-returning-jacksonville-2017)

[Gatorrick22]

I'm glad that we agree on the high value of big government programs like the interstate highway system, Rural Electrification, Oak Ridge, Hoover Dam, myriad local and state government utility creations, and UF, even if we disagree on our present Commissar..., I mean president. Here's to a new Socialist Future, comrade!

One more time. Obama would never have made these things happen. He's nothing more than a big government-takeover-commie.

[Row6]

One more time. Obama would never have made these things happen. He's nothing more than a big government-takeover-commie.

Of course that makes no sense, but whatever.

[KelticGator]

There would be huge costs to set up and run this putative government surveillance system which would be passed on to all tax payers whether or not they used the system. I say keep it in the private sector where real jobs would be created and some privacy can be expected.

Do people ever read the articles they comment on? The government is looking to make certain spectrums of the airwaves free so anyone can use it. The government isn't building or maintaining anything. Its just not selling the airwaves so anyone can go out and put out a free wireless service on these frequencies (and I assume that they will forbid people from charging others to use these airwaves for wireless communications).

Given the actual facts of this issue. Your argument about surveillance should be directed at private companies and entities as they will be the ones maintaining the network. In other words, who is going to keep these companies from tracking information used over their "free" network? Or do you not see it as an issue if information tracking is done by private enterprise.

[rpmGator]

Government built the super highway system for us, and we got places much faster. Not that big a deal to do the same things to move us into the century we live in and make data faster.

[gatorpa]

Government built the super highway system for us, and we got places much faster. Not that big a deal to do the same things to move us into the century we live in and make data faster.

Unless there is some nefarious plan for data mining.