A debate amoung the Federal Communications Commission and the outgoing Bush administration centers on the FCC’s plan to compose broadband available for free at government-mandated speeds.

In a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez said providing free broadband services would be counterproductive, conclusion in a congested and inefficient broadband, and be inconsistent with the Bush administration’s stand that the service should be allocated by the markets, not the government.

Gutierrez asked the FCC

to reconsider its business model that would include offering 25 MHz of the wireless spectrum in the 2155-2180 range to citizens without broadband access. The FCC is expected to vote on the move on Dec. 18.

Gutierrez said the administration believes the Advanced Wireless Services-3 Spectrum should be auctioned without price or product mandates and that the FCC should rely on the market to determine the best use of the spectrum.

Broadband […]

Orginal post by dhiram