FCC proposes large public WiFi networks

[Townsend]

So other than everyone out to get Gaspar, what is wrong with the freeing up band for the general public.

And I mean other than the lobbyists getting fired.

[Gaspar]

I'm sure everyone's pleased that you are against open free wifi.

I'm sure it's big government, poor people, or someone on welfare who's out to get you.

I am also against free electricity, free gasoline, free Cadillacs, and free beer (but that may be debatable).

If something has value, it is not free.  If you remove it from the market you also remove the market forces that allow it to evolve.

My goal is not to please everyone.  Sometimes people have to think too. 

[Townsend]

So aside from Miss Paranoia McCrazy's idea that the government is giving away his stuff, does anyone else disagree with? :

Designed by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, the plan would be a global first. When the U.S. government made a limited amount of unlicensed airwaves available in 1985, an unexpected explosion in innovation followed. Baby monitors, garage door openers and wireless stage microphones were created. Millions of homes now run their own wireless networks, connecting tablets, game consoles, kitchen appli­ances and security systems to the Internet.

"Freeing up unlicensed spectrum is a vibrantly free-market approach that offers low barriers to entry to innovators developing the technologies of the future and benefits consumers," Genachow­ski said in a an e-mailed statement.

Some companies and cities are already moving in this direction. Google is providing free WiFi to the public in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan and parts of Silicon Valley.

Cities support the idea because the networks would lower costs for schools and businesses or help vacationers easily find tourist spots. Consumer advocates note the benefits to the poor, who often cannot afford high cellphone and Internet bills.

[Conan71]

So aside from Miss Paranoia McCrazy's idea that the government is giving away his stuff, does anyone else disagree with? :

I agree it's possible it could spur the next big tech boom.  Or not.*

It's also entirely possible it could eliminate for-profit internet providers and end up putting thousands of Americans out of work as a result.  Once we have free wi-fi I'm pretty sure it will then be unfair for people to not be able to use it and a fantastic new government "administration" to oversee a program to issue tablets, laptops, and smart phones to those who can't afford them.  We are already $16 trillion in debt, why not figure out more ways to keep digging that hole?

Lump me in with Gaspar as being a Miss Paranoia McCrazy, but government involvement and it's gradual creep into all aspects of our lives is not good.

In the last decade I'm pretty amazed to have seen free cell phones, health insurance, and birth control become a "right".  Why do you think we are so far in debt?  It's not all the result of tax breaks on the wealthy.  We have an obvious spending problem to boot.

*Edited to add: I would like to think that the survival instincts of large players in telecom and the internet will dictate they find a way to profit in such an environment but when you are talking about a massive government program like this it's very hard to predict who will be the winners and the losers.

[Gaspar]

I agree it's possible it could spur the next big tech boom.  Or not.*

It's also entirely possible it could eliminate for-profit internet providers and end up putting thousands of Americans out of work as a result.  Once we have free wi-fi I'm pretty sure it will then be unfair for people to not be able to use it and a fantastic new government "administration" to oversee a program to issue tablets, laptops, and smart phones to those who can't afford them.  We are already $16 trillion in debt, why not figure out more ways to keep digging that hole?

Lump me in with Gaspar as being a Miss Paranoia McCrazy, but government involvement and it's gradual creep into all aspects of our lives is not good.

In the last decade I'm pretty amazed to have seen free cell phones, health insurance, and birth control become a "right".  Why do you think we are so far in debt?  It's not all the result of tax breaks on the wealthy.  We have an obvious spending problem to boot.

*Edited to add: I would like to think that the survival instincts of large players in telecom and the internet will dictate they find a way to profit in such an environment but when you are talking about a massive government program like this it's very hard to predict who will be the winners and the losers.

Dude, you are wacko!

Hey look.  Nut job over here! ^^^^^

[Townsend]

I agree it's possible it could spur the next big tech boom.  Or not.*

It's also entirely possible it could eliminate for-profit internet providers and end up putting thousands of Americans out of work as a result.  Once we have free wi-fi I'm pretty sure it will then be unfair for people to not be able to use it and a fantastic new government "administration" to oversee a program to issue tablets, laptops, and smart phones to those who can't afford them.  We are already $16 trillion in debt, why not figure out more ways to keep digging that hole?

Lump me in with Gaspar as being a Miss Paranoia McCrazy, but government involvement and it's gradual creep into all aspects of our lives is not good.

In the last decade I'm pretty amazed to have seen free cell phones, health insurance, and birth control become a "right".  Why do you think we are so far in debt?  It's not all the result of tax breaks on the wealthy.  We have an obvious spending problem to boot.

*Edited to add: I would like to think that the survival instincts of large players in telecom and the internet will dictate they find a way to profit in such an environment but when you are talking about a massive government program like this it's very hard to predict who will be the winners and the losers.

You and I are reading the article differently.  McCrazy's trying to fit his normal arguments into another thread and it's sad.

[heironymouspasparagus]

If they had known it would become an unregulated tool of commerce, I believe that would be very different today. 

I'll type slowly so you can get it the first time...

It was specifically designed by the visionaries who took what DARPA had started and ran with it.  Spurred on by guys like Al Gore, who actually indeed WAS one of the guys in the Senate who pushed very hard to make it happen.  So, that would mean he is at least one of a few creators of the internet.

Man, that just chaps the donkey of the RWRE in a big way....

[Gaspar]

I'll type slowly so you can get it the first time...

It was specifically designed by the visionaries who took what DARPA had started and ran with it.  Spurred on by guys like Al Gore, who actually indeed WAS one of the guys in the Senate who pushed very hard to make it happen.  So, that would mean he is at least one of a few creators of the internet.

Man, that just chaps the donkey of the RWRE in a big way....

Oh boy.  We're not talking about Al Gore here.  Isn't there a marijuana thread that needs your attention? 

[Conan71]

You and I are reading the article differently.  McCrazy's trying to fit his normal arguments into another thread and it's sad.

Here's my read:

-Government wants to hand over a new frequency spectrum
-Goal is free wi-fi for everyone
-Wireless industry says it's a bad idea

Is the government going to hand it over and pay someone billions to operate and maintain the wi-fi or manage and operate it themselves?  It's pretty obvious it won't appear like manna and exist in a vacuum once it's created.  Obviously someone stands to make money on creating hot-spots but that's about as permanent as bridge projects.

Just seems to me like another government program which will end up in the hands of the best paying lobbyist and will end up costing far more than CBO estimates, which is little better than throwing darts to arrive at a conclusion.

There is obviously more which needs to come out of the FCC in terms of research and facts.

[Townsend]

There is obviously more which needs to come out of the FCC in terms of research and facts.

No matter what comes out there will be the side that claims it's the government taking control of the internet.

Just like when they took control of the garage door openers according to the article.

When the U.S. government made a limited amount of unlicensed airwaves available in 1985, an unexpected explosion in innovation followed. Baby monitors, garage door openers and wireless stage microphones were created.

[Gaspar]

It's illegal for me to buy votes, but if I promise to give away something for free, most of them will vote for me.



Does anyone think there is a shadow of a chance that politicians are not already jockeying for position in using this new FCC recommendation as part of their new platform?
I mean come on. This article is a tickler to frame the conversation. Look at how it is received on this forum. 

[Townsend]

Does anyone think there is a shadow of a chance that politicians are not already jockeying for position in using this new FCC recommendation as part of their new platform?
I mean come on. This article is a tickler to frame the conversation. Look at how it is received on this forum. 

Already mentioned in the article.

The FCC's plan is part of a broader strategy to repurpose entire swaths of the nation's airwaves to accomplish a number of goals, including bolstering cellular networks and creating a dedicated channel for emergency responders.

Some Republican lawmakers have criticized Genachowski for his idea of creating free WiFi networks, noting that an auction of the airwaves would raise billions for the U.S. Treasury.

That sentiment echoes arguments made by companies such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Intel and Qualcomm, in a letter to the FCC staff late last month, that the government should focus its attention on selling the airwaves to businesses.

Anyone have a guess who and where bread is buttered in this?

[Conan71]

No matter what comes out there will be the side that claims it's the government taking control of the internet.

Just like when they took control of the garage door openers according to the article.

ERMAHGERD!!! THEY TERK ER DER ERPERNERS!

[Townsend]

ERMAHGERD!!! THEY TERK ER DER ERPERNERS!

Tracking when we leave and come back home.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Oh boy.  We're not talking about Al Gore here.  Isn't there a marijuana thread that needs your attention? 

Just a quick history note since you obviously missed it when going through school.