A free wireless Net proposal by the Federal Communications Commission has been put on hold. According to Reuters, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said Thursday that he would delay a vote on his proposal to auction a 25-MHz spectrum with the specific condition that the winner supply free World Wide Web access. Martin said he wanted more day to investigate concerns by wireless carriers that there could be interference with frequencies already in use.

‘Critical Goal’

Martin has said he didn’t believe there was a problem with interference, and that the new auction would supply the same protections against interference as previous auctions.

“I am happy to end up giving humans a little more moment to consider that,” he told Reuters, although he added that he still thinks it’s a “critical goal” and he’s “still anxious for the commission to do it.” He has plus told other news media that he is committed to providing a lifeline broadband service.

The

proposal had been scheduled to be discussed at the next FCC meeting on June 12. It could still be taken up at the FCC’s meeting in July, which would allow the agency to approve auction rules before an August deadline. whether the FCC approves no later than August, the auction could take place before the end of the year.

whether Martin’s proposal is adopted, the auction winner would be due to supply free wireless Web to half the U.S. population within four years and to 95 percent within 10 years. It would not be the same World Wide Web that is otherwise available, as the FCC proposal plus requires that the winner filter out pornographic subject matter. However, Martin has said he would support a plan that would allow adults to use an unfiltered service.

While some groups have protested the availability of an unfiltered Net, others have protested the filtering as…

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