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Tech Firm Files Request With FCC For Free Access To Airwaves
May 24, 2006 at 2:19 PM (PT)
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SAN FRANCISCO-based tech start-up M2Z NETWORKS has filed a request with the FCC for access to the relatively unused 20 MHz of spectrum between 2,155 MHz and 2,175 MHz for free and for 15 years so that the company can a offer a free wireless broadband service in the U.S.
The company, which says it can build the network and offer access to 95% of the U.S. population in 10 years, says it will provide a basic 512 kilobits per second service to households for free, supported by advertising. The company will also charge for premium services (such as faster broadband connections), and it would give 5% of its gross revenues back to the U.S Treasury.
While parts of a wireless spectrum are usually auctioned by the FCC, M2Z is asking the FCC to let it bypass that process. M2Z is currently backed by $10 million from three prominent SILICON VALLEY venture cap firms, but says it plans to raise up to $400 million to build the network.

