Friday, Jun 6, 2008    Text size: 

WASHINGTON — Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin has proposed auctioning off an unused piece of wireless spectrum, with the condition that whoever wins the bid offer free broadband Internet access and filter out adult content on a portion of the airwaves.

"We're hoping there will be increased interest in the proposal and because this will provide wireless broadband services to more Americans, it is certainly something we want to see," FCC spokesman Rob Kenny said.

The proposal would allow the winning bidder to use the remainder of the airwaves for commercial services.

According to Reuters, some consumer advocates have criticized the proposal saying the government has not done enough to get broadband service into more households.

The industry's chief trade group, called CTIA, said auction requirements such as the free-service condition were too rigid, Reuters said.

"CTIA supports flexible auction rules that allow any and all entities to participate," the group said in a statement.

Martin's plan is expected to come up at the FCC's next meeting June 12.