The Federal Communications Commission appears poised later today to reject M2Z Networks’ plan to offer free nationwide broadband service on the 2155-2175 MHz band, reports RCR News. The move could prompt a court challenge, says RCR.

M2Z, co-founded by former FCC wireless chief John Muleta, promised to return to the U.S Treasury 5% of gross revenues from a separate subscription service tier if given a 15-year license on the spectrum.

Earlier this month M2Z threatened to sue the FCC to force action on the plan, which has been pending before the agency for more than a year.

If the FCC approved M2Z’s proposal, it has to answer to AT&T and Verizon as well as the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition, made up of Free Press, Media Access Project and Consumers Union, natural opponents of telecom incumbents.

The incumbents don’t want “free” competition, of course. PISC, on the other hand, is lobbying for a more open access and doesn’t want an ISP setting a precedent by being allowed to filter Web content.

Related DailyWireless articles include; M2Z: Free Internet Now!, Opening Up 2155-2175 for MuniFi?, Broadband Wireless — Hello Goodbye, Statewide/Nationwide Wireless Broadband, National Broadband: Fee & Free, The AWS & 700MHz Dance, and FCC Rules on 700MHz: Limited Open Access, No Wholesale Requirement.

Original Source: dailywireless.org