FCC clarifies wireless internet rules |
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Thu, 22 Mar 2007 22:53
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WASHINGTON (AP) - The Federal Communications Commission said Thursday that it will regulate high-speed wireless Internet service in the same way that it regulates other broadband Internet services, such as cable modem and DSL service provided over phone lines.The commission's declaration clarifies that wireless broadband providers will not be subject to the stricter level of regulations that govern traditional telecommunications services.Among other requirements, telecom carriers must contribute to the universal service fund and file information on their rates with the FCC.Several commissioners emphasized that the FCC's announcement puts wireless broadband on the same regulatory footing as other high-speed internet services.Commission Chairman Kevin Martin said the move will 'encourage investment and promote competition in the broadband market.'Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, however, expressed doubt that the announcement will have much impact.'It is hard to fathom how it is likely to make much difference in the near term considering that no party bothered to ask us to formally consider it,' he said during the commission's monthly meeting.Instead, Adelstein highlighted his efforts to urge Sprint Nextel Corp. and AT&T Inc. to offer greater wireless broadband services as a condition of the Sprint-Nextel and AT&T-BellSouth mergers.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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One-third of Net users go wireless 