Although the Federal Communications Commission's plan has been talked about for years, it got a boost last week with a lobbying campaign from the tech industry. Google and
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Primary adversaries of the move are AT&T,
Under the proposal, the FCC would provide free, baseline Wi-Fi access in "just about every metropolitan area and in many rural areas" using the same air wave frequencies that empower AM radio and the broadcast television spectrum.
The plan is the brainchild of FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and harkens back to 1985, when the government made some unlicensed air wave frequencies available. That allowed for the development and mass production of devices like garage door openers and baby monitors that utilize slim portions of the wireless spectrum.
Under the plan, local television stations would sell a chunk of their air wave spectrum rights to the government. Those frequencies would be used for public Wi-Fi networks.
The plan is similar to private sector attempts to supplant wireless companies' and Internet service providers' statuses as the gatekeepers of the internet, such as Google's plans to make Chelsea, Kansas City and parts of Silicon Valley connected.
Still, the plan has emphasized a growing split between Silicon Valley and the communications industry.