Our Mission
Since September 2007, the FCC has conducted a rulemaking that would establish rules for the 2155 - 2175 MHz band. M2Z along with tens of thousands of Americans, over 400 state, local and federal officials and a coalition of national organizations have participated in the proceeding and have asked the FCC to establish a free nationwide wireless broadband network with protections against children viewing inappropriate content.
On December 12, 2008, more than one year following the start of the rulemaking process, the FCC bowed to pressure from the Bush administration and canceled a vote originally schedule for December 18, 2008 - to determine whether or not America deserves free and family-friendly broadband. This opposition is notable as President Bush failed to fulfill his pledge to get broadband to "every corner" of our country by 2007. At the close of 2008, nearly 40% of Americans still lack broadband access at home. The proposal is still “on circulation” which means that the three FCC Commissioners (Commissioner Adelstein, Acting Chairman Copps, Commissioner McDowell) can vote at any time. Two of three votes are needed for it to pass.
On behalf of the American consumer and over 100 million Americans and their families without broadband today (and for those Americans without any choice of broadband provider) M2Z will continue to advocate for this approach to make broadband as free and ubiquitous as the air we breathe. To send a note to the FCC to express your support for free and family-friendly broadband click here.
UPDATE: On December 29, 2008, news reports indicated that Chairman Martin revised and re-circulated the AWS-3 spectrum band service rules to his fellow Commissioners after removing the mandatory requirement that the free nationwide broadband service be family friendly. Because M2Z does not have knowledge of the details of the proposed Order, M2Z cannot comment on specifics of this change. Nonetheless, should M2Z become the eventual AWS-3 licensee, it remains committed to preventing illegal and unlawful use of the AWS-3 broadband network and to voluntarily undertake measures to protect underage users from harmful materials consistent with the Communications Act and the FCC's rules and policies.
Recent News
Free Broadband Time line:
- On May 5, 2006, M2Z Networks starts the ball rolling on free broadband for America by submitting an application to the FCC to lease 20 MHz of nationwide Spectrum at 2155 MHz. The un-paired spectrum had been lying fallow for over 14 years
- In August 2007 the FCC dismisses M2Z’s application (without prejudice) and indicates that it would rather put the spectrum to use through a rulemaking process.
- In September 2007, the FCC issues a rulemaking (NPRM) for the 2155-2175 MHz band along with a commitment to issue service rules within 9 months of Federal Register publication of the NPRM.
- On November 14, 2007, the NPRM was published in the Federal Register.
- On December 12, 2008, the FCC canceled a planned vote on free broadband but the item remains "on circulation" and can be voted by the five FCC Commissioners at any time.
Summary of key quotes in Support of free broadband and M2Z (Download)
