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FCC Says Free Wireless Plans Won't Screw Up T-Mobile's 3G
Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 5:00 PM on October 14, 2008
Trying to add a silver lining to your undoubtedly dismal economic future, the FCC has struck down T-Mobile's complaints that the agency's scheme to offer free wireless to lower-income peoples will interfere with established 3G networks. In an engineering report, the agency claimed that there would be no "significant risk of harmful interference."
That's a good thing should this plan, which would offer downstream speeds of 768kbps for free to half the U.S. within the first four years, and 95% in the next six, actually come to fruition. T-Mobile and its ilk have threatened to sue if the FCC's action impairs their ability to use the spectrums they purchased in any way.
Will it ever be though? I mean, who does the FCC think is going to buy something with this many expensive restrictions on it in the first place? [Mobile Tech Today]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
meinrosebud
Posted October 14, 2008 5:56 PM
What a TELCO protesting about a free service causing problems with its paid service... never.
T-Mobile would rather sell those poor people accounts that they can't afford just to add to the world economic slide!
Adisah
Posted 2:28 PM 14/10/08
What is t-mobile getting all pissed for?? The FCC effing owns you T-mobile lol Notice that every device that you make has to go through them... wow. The FCC isn't stupid like that anyways... they wouldn't screw up your late to the game 3g network anyways.
Adisah
KryptonZero
Posted 2:12 PM 14/10/08
Yeah, if the FCC is offering free wireless then isn't T-Mobile and their "ilk" just pissed they have to compete with "free"?
I live in a rural area and All I have available to me is crappy satellite internet and sprint with their 5gig lameness.
If my tax dollars enables me to download porn at high speed for free, I'm all for it.
KryptonZero
Glare
Posted 2:08 PM 14/10/08
Wait have I been living in a cave or under a rock?
Free wireless? WHERE?!
Glare
awdark
Posted 2:39 PM 14/10/08
That would be so nice, then again the lower income part makes me figure they will limit the general public from using it. Oh well, I guess its progress.. I wonder if theres similar hope for wimax
awdark
SexCpotatoes
Posted 4:47 PM 14/10/08
This would be great for my mother, who is on Social Security Disability, and wants to get some halfway decent high speed after the first of the year.
She's gonna be stuck paying for cable internet at $25 a month minimum for 1.5 Mbs, or she could go with Verizon for $20 a month plus $60 for a router, plus extra taxes, for the same 768 kbs.
Hurry up FCC, my mom is stuck on 20 hours a month free through NetZero and Juno for christsake!
SexCpotatoes
I'm a PC
Posted 5:02 PM 14/10/08
@awdark: I think this is a step in a direction that will eventually lead to 100% free* internet. which is good
I'm a PC
I'm a PC
Posted 4:59 PM 14/10/08
@Adisah: or would they?
I'm a PC
terebakashi
Posted 5:26 PM 14/10/08
@Adisah:
The whole reason T-mobile is late to the 3G game is because the government has been slow at getting its lazy ass out of the AWS bands.
If the FCC approves free wireless, you can bet it will be nowhere near as fast as current 3G. And if T-mobile loses out, then we're still stuck with AT&T's half-assed network, Sprint's 5gb limit, and Verizon's crappy customer support. The entire US wireless industry -needs- T-mobile to remain a competitive player.
terebakashi
Jeice
Posted 5:54 PM 14/10/08
@SexCpotatoes: eww....Dial-up should be outlawed.
I think for once, the FCC is doing something that doesn't screw over the general public, and we should be happy! Maybe this will set a precedent!
Jeice
awdark
Posted 6:55 PM 14/10/08
@SexCpotatoes:
Netzero and Juno still has free internet? *shudders* I used those for years before switching to dsl... Still trying to catch up to all I never got to download!
But those prices are really quite sad, I know there are plenty of people who don't use the internet all that much (more power to them, I think I am quite addicted) and I guess are good candidates for dialup, but 5k/s is just sad these days
awdark
Philscbx
Posted 6:42 PM 14/10/08
As a T-Mobile user, why not have WiFi available for them.
It should be as well in well marked hot spots of roadside way stops for instant access to mapping, to your next meal or special interest pit stop.
It's a win win deal for everyone. Or you'll just fly by it otherwise.
Coffee shops started it.
I'd like to grab a quick coffee, then get on with the mission sitting in the car than drag it all in the shop.
Access with Black Berry on the road to find special shops, is slower than dial-up w/o images.
All the providers should make this world a little better keeping us connected in real time. They make millions as it is at $100 a house.
Just like your home phone, you all pay for the systems for the deaf for the last thirty years.
So get on with it.
Philscbx
headc4se
Posted 2:55 AM 15/10/08
@Philscbx: That could have to do with T-Mobile's network. I have a Curve on Verizon, and have no issues using it to hop online if I need to find something in a jiffy. Speed is more than acceptable for what it is.
headc4se
lilaliendog
Posted 4:15 AM 15/10/08
@KryptonZero: this should force internet providers to provide very reasonable priced plans or at the very least provide insanely fast plans for their current prices.
lilaliendog
spider2544
Posted 5:06 AM 15/10/08
now i can watch porn for free anywhere in the continental US
spider2544
SilvesterKhayree
Posted 12:38 AM 15/10/08
Apparently T-Mobile has been fighting this for 2 years. Why don't they spend more time fixing their crappy network. Maybe then they wouldn't be so scared of competition.
SilvesterKhayree
JessicaAlcmene
Posted 10:43 PM 14/10/08
Really, what's next. "Oh dear federal government. I can't pay my electricity bill to keep my wi-fi on so please give me money to pay for that...and by the way, I'll be needing a new computer to access my free wi-fi so please pay for that also." This is absolutely ridiculous. The pace at which socialism is taking over this country is astounding. Do you really want the federal government having information on what and where you go on the Internet? At least now they have to get a court order, now you're just handing them your keys. This is just another example of people inventing "rights" where there are none. There is no "right" to access the Internet. There are public libraries all over this country that sit empty where people can easily access the Internet for free when they really need it.
JessicaAlcmene
asthecrowspins
Posted 10:13 AM 15/10/08
Come on, T-Mobile, your 3G is mostly imaginary anyway.
asthecrowspins
donkill
Posted 10:34 AM 15/10/08
usally i am on your side in this but we are getting creamed by other goverments subsidizing their providers this may encourage our guys to step up and provide more service for less cost.Right now japans slowest service is faster than Americas best and only cost 10$ american. @JessicaAlcmene:
donkill
NormanElipster
Posted 3:25 PM 14/10/08
by WayneSMT I am reminded of something my dad told me when I had a chance to get this really old, really big, really free mainframe computer thing. It had a billion wires and lights and cards inside, I was 14. He told me that just because something is free doesn't mean you need it or want it. Could I see a show of hands of all the people that would trust the government to be your ISP of sorts, do be able to VNC your screen kinda, without your knowledge? Be able to not only see what you search for, but far more importantly how your mind works, how you search for things. How you type? How your formulate your ideas? For those of you that raised your hands, please watch the following short public service announcement. http://www.waynesdrainsmontana.com/end.index.html
NormanElipster