FCC Chair Kevin Martin's nationwide wireless broadband plan
So Kevin Martin (not the one who used to post here. The other one.) is apparently set on auctioning off a large portion of the wireless spectrum to whomever can provide nationwide wireless broadband — free of charges and free or porn. Which, to me, is where it gets really interesting. I’m a freedom of speech nut and, in my mind, porn falls squarely under “speech.” But I also believe free internet access to all Americans is, perhaps, equally important.
So which is more important? Absolute, no-exceptions free speech that cuts off our figurative noses to spite our information-craved faces? Or free data nationwide that sets a dangerous precedent? And for any free-marketeers out there, are we at a point where we can consider internet access a utility like electric and water? Or does the U.S. Government have no business pushing free internet?