By Leslie Cauley, USA TODAY

Free broadband for America has inched closer to reality: The plan, after two years of debate, is finally on the calendar for a full vote by the Federal Communications Commission.

Assuming the plan is approved at the FCC's Dec. 18 meeting, one of the agency's last before President-elect Barack Obama takes office, free broadband could become reality within a year.

First proposed in 2006, the plan calls for a chunk of airwaves called AWS-3 (now idle) to be used for wireless broadband across the USA. Under terms contemplated by the FCC, the winner of the AWS-3 auction would have to reserve at least 25% of network capacity for free broadband.

The winner would be allowed to charge for other services, including premium broadband that would offer faster speeds.

Assuming there are no last-minute snags, the AWS-3 auction will take place next year.

The FCC plans to impose several conditions. Among them: The winner will be required to launch free broadband with a filter that automatically blocks adult content. Users can remove the filter once they've confirmed that they are at least 18 years old.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has championed the idea of free broadband. Martin is particularly concerned about rural areas, where dial-up and satellite-based Internet still rule. Dial-up isn't fast enough to handle interactive fare, including video streaming. Satellite has the muscle, but broadband-strength speeds can cost $100 or more a month.

About 38% of rural households have broadband. In urban and suburban areas, where competition for customers can be fierce, the numbers are a lot higher, 57% and 60%, respectively. Martin says free broadband can help bridge the gap. "This initiative brings with it the promise of a free basic broadband service to hundreds of thousands of Americans who currently have limited or no access to the high-speed Internet," Martin said in a statement prepared for USA TODAY.

Big wireless carriers, which stand to lose customers — and profits — if free broadband takes off, have criticized the FCC's plan.

The harshest critic is T-Mobile. The carrier paid $4 billion two years ago to buy the spectrum that abuts the AWS-3 block. T-Mobile claims the FCC's plan will cause service disruptions for its customers. The FCC disagrees.

Despite opposition from incumbents, the plan has a number of strong supporters. Chief among them is the company that dreamed up the idea initially, M2Z, a wireless start-up backed by Kleiner Perkins, the big Silicon Valley venture capital firm.

Milo Medin, M2Z's co-founder and a broadband pioneer, says that in addition to being a big positive for consumers, the plan is consistent with Obama's belief in the power of private-public partnerships. While free broadband alone won't close the divide between digital haves and have nots, Medin says it's a good start

Source:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/2008-12-01-free-broadband_N.htm

I started to say yeah what is the catch, then I read this, "The winner will be required to launch free broadband with a filter that automatically blocks adult content" I thought Yeah like that's going to fly.

Then my worries were somewhat put to ease as I then read, "Users can remove the filter once they've confirmed that they are at least 18 years old." then I got to thinking. How will they make you prove you are 18? That's the rub right there. they might have something sneaky waiting in the wings to make everyone have to log into some kind of special servers that can track you to make sure you are who you are.

Then again I might just be overly paranoid about this and there's really nothing sneaky going on, then again it's the FCC were talking about so you never really know.

yes fucking do it

This socialism is really getting ridiculous, if people want an Internet connection they should pay for it themselves!

sounds like a way for them to censor the internet

Yeah fucking right, free internet. The bribes it would take to keep this from going through pale in comparison to the money the telecoms would lose if this actually happened.

Heh, nice.

If it somehow does get passed, I'd be able to get the fuck off of dialup!

Though I'm sure I could count on a block of anything p2p and 'adult'.

But hell, I'd be on faster internet, I'd just proxy.

sounds like a way for them to censor the internet

This.

Private companies will be bankrupted by the free service, leaving only one option for Internet in many areas, which can then easily be censored by the government.

Heh, nice.

If it somehow does get passed, I'd be able to get the fuck off of dialup!

Though I'm sure I could count on a block of anything p2p and 'adult'.

But hell, I'd be on faster internet, I'd just proxy.

They'd probably block TOTSE and "terrorist"/"hate" sites as well.

They'd probably block TOTSE and "terrorist"/"hate" sites as well.

Probably. But I would be able to use tor/proxies, and they'd probably have shit censor software.

Better than dial up...

Heh, nice.

If it somehow does get passed, I'd be able to get the fuck off of dialup!

Maybe that's part of the plan. Don't you find it strange that this and the whole analog to HD thing is going on at the same time?

Though I'm sure I could count on a block of anything p2p and 'adult'.

But hell, I'd be on faster internet, I'd just proxy.

How do you know they won't be expecting everyone to try and proxy their way around the filters and blocks, and have something already setup to catch those that would try it?

Hell even TOR was crack a while back by that guy from another country that setup some kind of special listening node on the TOR network and captured a lot of stuff coming out of one the embassies over there.

This socialism is really getting ridiculous, if people want an Internet connection they should pay for it themselves!

You have no idea what the fuck Socialism is.

The PRIVATE COMPANY that wins the auction will be fronting the bill, not us as a whole you dumb fuck.

And America, being one of the most powerful countries with access to the most/best technology, is almost at the bottom of the list when it comes to the application of it.

What that means is places like South Korea have had FREE WIFI in their country for years now even though they are behind us in almost every field that would hold them back.

Also, This is coinciding with the switch to HD because it's the same analogue signal that they're selling. It's going to be useless so they're trying to make money on it. It's very controversial because when the signal was made it was "Free Air Waves" until the FCC was created to REGULATE it. It's under very large debate on the ethics of selling it because the FCC doesn't own it. It should be public domain and we should decide what to do with it, not the backwards corrupt FCC.

And finally; Fiber is being implemented not just commercially anymore, but also by normal consumers. It's spreading like wild fire (GO VERIZON!)

It's a good concept but I'm also weary as to what information/power the FCC and the company that wins the auction will gain. If the FCC can sell these air waves and tell the winner what it can and cannot have then it essentially means that the FCC can regulate internet... where as the internet doesn't fall under any of their guidelines of regulation.

I can keep going on but it's kind of pissing me off.

The FCC doesn't need to exist and hopefully our "Socialist President-elect" picked the right people to lead his FCC review agency. I think he did.

Learn before you post.

Yay for free internet, censored is better then nothing, if it matters that much you can keep paying for your privacy.

Bullshit. They intend on somehow making it porn and torrent free.

I'll keep using my neighbor's connection. ;)

Yay for free internet, censored is better then nothing, if it matters that much you can keep paying for your privacy.

No censorship is better than either.

I think highspeed internet should be free and accessible anywhere in our solar system. Censorship will probably just hamper non-computer savvy people anyways.

What that means is places like South Korea have had FREE WIFI in their country for years now even though they are behind us in almost every field that would hold them back.

So what you're trying to say is that it would be harder to setup free WIFI in a tiny ass country like South Korea than to set one up for the entire united states? Unlikely.

The most blatant forced censorship in decades.

For all of those worried about censorship don't. You can't stop the signal. Wireless technology and security is still advancing and being deployed. There are tons of home brew hacks coming out every year. It is my belief that you won't need an ISP or government for internets within a decade anyways. People will only need landlines for high bandwidth traffic. Large businesses and data centers will probably be the only ones purchasing these.

I do believe they will try to play cyber cop. It will definitely help them spy on average people and fuck with everyones records without a court order. It would still only have a VERY minimal impact on cyber crime. It would be insane (and impossible) for them to try and take control of the internet. You never know just how dumb they might be though... Dumb enough to maybe try The end result would be us pwning the fuck out of them, and if they tried to shut us down there WILL be revolution. That is one thing I am 100% certain of. I will revolt. I personally know dozens of potentially very dangerous people that will as well. This would be the last straw. I also know far more people that are dangerous and they would see this as a good time to put their party hats on. There are way too many people that care only for the internet and nothing else. They withdraw from society and spend their days surfing the darker underbelly of the web. These people know how to pick locks, make remote detonators, bypass security systems, make silencers, blow up buildings etc. What the fuck do you think they are going to do when they're cut off?

Furthermore, the government taking over internet access in the US will only spur growth in the development of a more secure internet. More people will become more aware of what is going on. People will start using foreign proxies, encryption, etc. The Tor network will see a surge of new users. Things like this will start to happen once people realize the government is openly spying on them.

tl/dr: Government will be able to see who is connecting to who if they get control of internet access in the US. They won't be able to see who is really connecting to who or what is actually going on because of the tech response to this infringement on our privacy.

You can't stop the signal.

http://www.destructoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/firefly%20ship.jpg

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/staticfiles/NGS/Shared/StaticFiles/Science/Images/Content/brain-cancer-sc9324-sw.jpg

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7254078.stm

http://theunexplainedmysteries.com/nsa/illuminati.jpg

This is exactly what all liberals/democrats in power do.

They need more power and more control of people. They tell the poor niggers and white trash "you will get this fo free nigz" so they all vote on it and jump in because they are lazy assholes who don't like to work.

Then the government censors and tracks everything you do.

You don't even see it.

This is exactly what all liberals/democrats in power do.

They need more power and more control of people. They tell the poor niggers and white trash "you will get this fo free nigz" so they all vote on it and jump in because they are lazy assholes who don't like to work.

Then the government censors and tracks everything you do.

You don't even see it.

You're a fucking idiot.

Republicans have by far taken away individual liberties more then any other political party in U.S. History.

Bush's administration alone implemented the Patriot Act (which did get revised after it's sunset date) that took away almost every first and 4th amendment right we had. He also implemented the National I.D. Act which is still in effect and has single handedly let the government track you through RFID tracking.

I can keep going you dumb fuck. How about instead of bitching and moaning about a political party and pointing your fucking finger you can grow up. And when you're 18 you can decide how active you want to be our political system. I bet you wont even fucking vote.

But I would be able to use tor/proxies

What's to stop them from blocking Tor and most proxies?

Republicans have by far taken away individual liberties more then any other political party in U.S. History.

The Democrats supported slavery, the Republicans got rid of it.

The Democrats supported slavery, the Republicans got rid of it.

He is just a typical brainwashed citizen who actually fell for all the 'change' bullshit.

You're a fucking idiot.

Republicans have by far taken away individual liberties more then any other political party in U.S. History.

Bush's administration alone implemented the Patriot Act (which did get revised after it's sunset date) that took away almost every first and 4th amendment right we had. He also implemented the National I.D. Act which is still in effect and has single handedly let the government track you through RFID tracking.

I can keep going you dumb fuck. How about instead of bitching and moaning about a political party and pointing your fucking finger you can grow up. And when you're 18 you can decide how active you want to be our political system. I bet you wont even fucking vote.

Do you think Bush is the epitome of the conservative and republican? You are a joke. Many, actualy most, concervatives disagree with Bush's policies. Like the Patroit Act. Dumb fucking asshole.

I recently turned 18 and can't vote for another 4 years you fuck.

The Democrats supported slavery, the Republicans got rid of it.

Political parties DO NOT evolve over time.

Political parties are a figment of your imagination. Changing the people isn't going to do shit. You need to change the system. Every year brings more government and fewer rights regardless of which of the big two are in power.

I also know far more people that are dangerous and they would see this as a good time to put their party hats on. There are way too many people that care only for the internet and nothing else. They withdraw from society and spend their days surfing the darker underbelly of the web. These people know how to pick locks, make remote detonators, bypass security systems, make silencers, blow up buildings etc. What the fuck do you think they are going to do when they're cut off?

You make us sound so badass.

This is exactly what all liberals/democrats in power do.

They need more power and more control of people. They tell the poor niggers and white trash "you will get this fo free nigz" so they all vote on it and jump in because they are lazy assholes who don't like to work.

Then the government censors and tracks everything you do.

You don't even see it.

That's what pisses me off. They call themselves "liberals", but their actions are completely non-liberal.

Liberalism implies a minimal government and maximum freedoms of the people. What they are doing instead is try to regulate everything.

What we will get out of this is the death of independent ISPs (if the quality of the free wireless is high enough), and, eventually, a quasi-state monopoly on the internet.

I say, if they want to cover the whole country with broadband, they should just let each state to have a tender and subsides the ISPs that provide broadband to certain areas.

Do you think Bush is the epitome of the conservative and republican? You are a joke. Many, actualy most, concervatives disagree with Bush's policies. Like the Patroit Act. Dumb fucking asshole.

I recently turned 18 and can't vote for another 4 years you fuck.

You have no idea what the fuck a real conservative is. Conservatism is fundamentally based on "tradition". It's meant to keep the status qua and only act based on previous decisions. Of course Bush isn't what a traditional republican is because that was the only political party in America for a long time. Current day democrats embody almost exactly what first-starter republicans were. And even if you assume, which you're wrong here anyway but let's just assume you were right, that conservatives were against the PATRIOT ACT what about all the other situations they have supported that ended in the removal of basic civil rights? Fuck, even the Iraq War took the rights of a whole nation away and threatened the U.S. with a downright Service Draft.

Unlike your sorry ass I'm at least half educated in way my country is run. It's impossible for me to explain what the truth is because you're just another ignorant fuck who thinks they know everything in the entire world.

You have another 4 years before you can vote? You're a typical American who thinks the presidency is the only election worth taking part in. Maybe that's why congress is so fucked up and we end up with governors like Sarah Plain or Rod Blagojevich. You need to actually take part in our country before you can open your fucking mouth and give your opinion.

Grow the fuck up you stupid kid.

You have no idea what the fuck a real conservative is. Conservatism is fundamentally based on "tradition". It's meant to keep the status qua and only act based on previous decisions. Of course Bush isn't what a traditional republican is because that was the only political party in America for a long time. Current day democrats embody almost exactly what first-starter republicans were. And even if you assume, which you're wrong here anyway but let's just assume you were right, that conservatives were against the PATRIOT ACT what about all the other situations they have supported that ended in the removal of basic civil rights? Fuck, even the Iraq War took the rights of a whole nation away and threatened the U.S. with a downright Service Draft.

Unlike your sorry ass I'm at least half educated in way my country is run. It's impossible for me to explain what the truth is because you're just another ignorant fuck who thinks they know everything in the entire world.

You have another 4 years before you can vote? You're a typical American who thinks the presidency is the only election worth taking part in. Maybe that's why congress is so fucked up and we end up with governors like Sarah Plain or Rod Blagojevich. You need to actually take part in our country before you can open your fucking mouth and give your opinion.

Grow the fuck up you stupid kid.


Wow, you are so fucking dumb! President Clinton, a democrat, was president for 8 years before bush. That was the only political party for a long time right?

You think only conservatives first supported the war? 75% of all Americans supported the Iraq war at first:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_popular_opinion_of_invasion_of_Iraq

Bush also had a 90% approval rating at the time.

You call yourself educated and that I am ignorant. You are an embarassment. You can't even get basic facts down. Just a fucking typical liberal. You lie about so many things that all the lies just build and build until all your dumb fucking friends just believe you.

Obviously I know that I can vote in other elections. Are you retarded? Everyone knows that there are different elections than president. We were obviously talking about presidents you fucking faggot.

Wow, you are so fucking dumb! President Clinton, a democrat, was president for 8 years before bush. That was the only political party for a long time right?

You think only conservatives first supported the war? 75% of all Americans supported the Iraq war at first:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_popular_opinion_of_invasion_of_Iraq

Bush also had a 90% approval rating at the time.

You call yourself educated and that I am ignorant. You are an embarassment. You can't even get basic facts down. Just a fucking typical liberal. You lie about so many things that all the lies just build and build until all your dumb fucking friends just believe you.

Obviously I know that I can vote in other elections. Are you retarded? Everyone knows that there are different elections than president. We were obviously talking about presidents you fucking faggot.

I'll try to use smaller words this time around.

There was no Republican/Democratic party when our nation was founded. That means Washington wasn't like "omg guys. i'm a republican. vote for me because i support traditional republican ideas. lol". If you understood what I fucking said you can see that I meant that having political parties in our nation is a fucking tradition that hasn't been with us since the beginning and, knowing that, you can deduce that our versions of political parties, their ideologies, and their fundamentals CHANGE... with time.

Don't you dare fucking spew that bullshit nonsense about Bush's approval ratings. Even if those were correct (lol, referencing wikipedia) I can throw you plenty of other statistics on how those approval rates wouldn't be anywhere close to what they if the American Public has know the truth. If Bush didn't lie to everyone in our god damn nation then we would have never gone along with his grand scheme of imperialism.

And no, we're not just talking about Presidential Elections. You think that's the most important one? Are you fucking kidding me. The only reason you think that is because Bush's Administration has pulled so much power to the Executive Branch in the last 8 years that you don't know how things are really supposed to be in our government.

Are you familiar with "Ad hominem"? How about instead of calling me a faggot you give some real evidence you stupid fuck. The only reason I can call you an ignorant kid is because you rightfully are one. I've supported my argument.

Now how about instead of googling information to form a rebuttle since you can't really form your own you go read a fucking book. And not the Bible.

By the way; it's people like you who are fracturing our nation. It's your fault we couldn't form a sense of broad community because you throw labels around like they fucking matter. I never said I was a "Liberal".

I hold ties to no one except myself.

God this recession isn't hitting hard and fast enough. I can't wait until brainwashed sheep like yourselves die of starvation or the common cold. Who gives a fuck if someone calls themselves a liberal or a conservative? You're a fucking dumb ass for listening to them. All they want is power, they care not from where it springs. They will say and do whatever the fuck is trendy to get a vote.

I'll try to use smaller words this time around.

There was no Republican/Democratic party when our nation was founded. That means Washington wasn't like "omg guys. i'm a republican. vote for me because i support traditional republican ideas. lol". If you understood what I fucking said you can see that I meant that having political parties in our nation is a fucking tradition that hasn't been with us since the beginning and, knowing that, you can deduce that our versions of political parties, their ideologies, and their fundamentals CHANGE... with time.

Don't you dare fucking spew that bullshit nonsense about Bush's approval ratings. Even if those were correct (lol, referencing wikipedia) I can throw you plenty of other statistics on how those approval rates wouldn't be anywhere close to what they if the American Public has know the truth. If Bush didn't lie to everyone in our god damn nation then we would have never gone along with his grand scheme of imperialism.

And no, we're not just talking about Presidential Elections. You think that's the most important one? Are you fucking kidding me. The only reason you think that is because Bush's Administration has pulled so much power to the Executive Branch in the last 8 years that you don't know how things are really supposed to be in our government.

Are you familiar with "Ad hominem"? How about instead of calling me a faggot you give some real evidence you stupid fuck. The only reason I can call you an ignorant kid is because you rightfully are one. I've supported my argument.

Now how about instead of googling information to form a rebuttle since you can't really form your own you go read a fucking book. And not the Bible.

By the way; it's people like you who are fracturing our nation. It's your fault we couldn't form a sense of broad community because you throw labels around like they fucking matter. I never said I was a "Liberal".

I hold ties to no one except myself.


You have not supported your arguement for shit you kyke. Just because you repeatedly spew your lies over and over again doesn't mean you are proving a point to anyone. You are just proving the point that you like dick down your throat.

Your initial arguement is that republicans take away more rights than liberals.

Then once I prove you wrong you switch the topic to: well we didnt have dat many parties when america first started, omg approval ratings dont mean anything if bush lied to us lawls?!

The war on drugs is a SOCIAL problem. Only someone with a liberal, democratic or social mentality would want to take care of that.
The war on terrorism is a SOCIAL problem. Only someone with a liberal, democratic or social mentality would want to take care of that.
The war on poverty is a SOCIAL problem. Only someone with a liberal, democratic or social mentality would want to take care of that.
The war on faggots, and therefor fatkitty420, is an absolute necessity. I'm out poser.

I'm out poser.

Poseur*

You have not supported your arguement for shit you kyke. Just because you repeatedly spew your lies over and over again doesn't mean you are proving a point to anyone. You are just proving the point that you like dick down your throat.

Your initial arguement is that republicans take away more rights than liberals.

Then once I prove you wrong you switch the topic to: well we didnt have dat many parties when america first started, omg approval ratings dont mean anything if bush lied to us lawls?!

The war on drugs is a SOCIAL problem. Only someone with a liberal, democratic or social mentality would want to take care of that.
The war on terrorism is a SOCIAL problem. Only someone with a liberal, democratic or social mentality would want to take care of that.
The war on poverty is a SOCIAL problem. Only someone with a liberal, democratic or social mentality would want to take care of that.
The war on faggots, and therefor fatkitty420, is an absolute necessity. I'm out poser.

Ha! Man, that's hilarious.

Oh wait, you're serious...

Ha! Man, that's hilarious.

Oh wait, you're serious...

Sadly, these socialist "oh mr gov'ment man please hold my hand and wipe my ass for me" degenerates do exist and they are growing in numbers. You need to cleanse America Valerius. Cleanse them of this evil.

Sadly, these socialist "oh mr gov'ment man please hold my hand and wipe my ass for me" degenerates do exist and they are growing in numbers. You need to cleanse America Valerius. Cleanse them of this evil.

Right, and trickle down economics is a great way for a country to be run. 2% of the people in this country own 80% of it's assets.

You have to be fucking kidding me.

http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/data/500/derail2.jpg

I think a lot of you are over concerned with the socialist aspect of this. It's only 25% that would have to be free. That 25% will probably suck. The poor people and those who don't give a shit about the internet will use it. Those who spend their days pirating shit and watching youtube are going to buy premium service, which will probably be at a reduced cost because of the no-cost alternative.

I kinda like the idea. At least, from what I've read, it won't make the entire shortwave spectrum useless like the broadband over powerline plan would have.

-Dave

I'll try to use smaller words this time around.

There was no Republican/Democratic party when our nation was founded. That means Washington wasn't like "omg guys. i'm a republican. vote for me because i support traditional republican ideas. lol". If you understood what I fucking said you can see that I meant that having political parties in our nation is a fucking tradition that hasn't been with us since the beginning and, knowing that, you can deduce that our versions of political parties, their ideologies, and their fundamentals CHANGE... with time.

Don't you dare fucking spew that bullshit nonsense about Bush's approval ratings. Even if those were correct (lol, referencing wikipedia) I can throw you plenty of other statistics on how those approval rates wouldn't be anywhere close to what they if the American Public has know the truth. If Bush didn't lie to everyone in our god damn nation then we would have never gone along with his grand scheme of imperialism.

And no, we're not just talking about Presidential Elections. You think that's the most important one? Are you fucking kidding me. The only reason you think that is because Bush's Administration has pulled so much power to the Executive Branch in the last 8 years that you don't know how things are really supposed to be in our government.

Are you familiar with "Ad hominem"? How about instead of calling me a faggot you give some real evidence you stupid fuck. The only reason I can call you an ignorant kid is because you rightfully are one. I've supported my argument.

Now how about instead of googling information to form a rebuttle since you can't really form your own you go read a fucking book. And not the Bible.

By the way; it's people like you who are fracturing our nation. It's your fault we couldn't form a sense of broad community because you throw labels around like they fucking matter. I never said I was a "Liberal".

I hold ties to no one except myself.

I...cannot...believe you just criticized someone for use of the ad hominem fallacy.

"You're a fucking idiot"

Member that one sweetie? First direct ad hominem in the thread?

Yeah. Yeah, that just happened.

But lets not dare to logically refute fat sack of worthless shit kitty that thinks its making arguments that actually hold water. You are a rhetorician, not a scholar. Go blog for Obama's reelection and spew your garbage towards people who want to swallow it.

Government is not to be trusted, no matter the party. If you think the retch worthy "change you can believe in" is going to save or help you think again.