FCC Considers Free Wireless Internet for All of US

(March 9) -- The United States could soon offer an enticing perk: free Wi-Fi.

At the Digital Inclusion Summit in Washington on Tuesday, Julius Genachowski, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, said his agency is considering establishing "free or very low cost" wireless Internet service for the entire nation.

"In order to ensure long-term American competitiveness, we must not leave one-third of the nation behind," Genachowski said. "The National Broadband Plan provides a vision for federal, state and local leadership and partnerships with private and nonprofit communities that will bridge the digital divide and transform America into a nation where broadband expands opportunities for all."

The FCC plan would extend broadband Internet service to an estimated 93 million Americans who the agency describes as being "left behind in the digital age."

The cost of the plan, which will be submitted to Congress on March 17, is said to be in the neighborhood of $25 billion. According to the FCC, 4 percent of American homes do not have access to broadband Internet, and three in 10 people in the U.S. do not have high-speed Internet because of factors such as price.

The FCC's Mignon Clyburn also said Tuesday that the agency hopes to initiate a National Digital Literacy Corps to assist Americans with setting up broadband Internet.

"The Digital Literacy Corps will mobilize hundreds of digital ambassadors in local communities across the country," Clyburn said. "That is about neighbors helping neighbors get online."

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