This week’s question concerns the availability of low-cost broadband service in the U.S. With the U.S. converting all TV broadcasts from analog to digital next February, the Federal Commun- ications Commission is auctioning the 700 MHz frequency band vacated by TV carriers to wireless and broadband communications providers. Critics have charged that large, fee-charging carriers such as AT&T and Verizon Wireless have won bids for much of the available spectrum. Recently, a Silicon Valley congresswoman proposed the winner of the next spectrum auction be required to offer free, wireless broadband service to most of the U.S. population within a decade - an idea opponents charge would impose excessive regulations on the winning bidder. What do you think? Should the U.S. Federal Communications Commission mandate availability of free broadband service? Yes or no?
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