FCC Calling For Free Nationwide WiFi For The Public

While some may argue that internet access shouldn't be a basic human right, a majority of people agree that internet access should be easily accessible by anyone for free, or at least at low costs. It looks like the FCC is finally recognizing that and is calling for nationwide WiFi to the public for free, and it seems they're going to do it without the help of ISPs

According to the Washington Post, the FCC is thinking about buying back spectrum from TV stations that would allow for "super WiFi," that would blanket the country with wide-ranging, highly-penetrative networks. While ISPs are furious about the proposition, the large tech companies like Google and Microsoft are all for the idea.

This free WiFi network would work similarly to how cellular networks work now. You would have constant connection to the internet no matter where you were, and while you can easily achieve this through LTE, that obviously costs quite a bit per month, while this new WiFi network would be absolutely free, and potentially faster than LTE.

Pretty much all wireless providers, including handset manufacturers, and those invested in the mobile phone industry are not liking the idea one bit, and they don't want their lucrative business interrupted. However, Google and Microsoft both said that increased internet access means more potential users, and it would open up to a massive boom in innovation if more people could access the internet anywhere.

It's not said exactly when the free nationwide WiFi could be set up. It would have to get approval first, and even after that's done, it would take several years for the network to be completely built. So, while it may come in the future, don't expect it anytime soon.

[via The Washington Post]