FCC denies M2Z's broadband wireless proposal

As expected, the FCC shot down a 15-month old petition from M2Z Networks to obtain an exclusive, 15-year license to build and operate a free wireless Internet network in the 2155 MHz to 2175 MHz band in return for giving a portion of its revenues to the federal government. In the same order, the FCC also rejected a similar proposal from a company called NetFreeUS.

The FCC said it wasn't convinced that one company should control the spectrum band without first soliciting broader comment on how the spectrum should be used. The commission indicated that it will shortly issue a rulemaking process.

The FCC also took a shot at M2Z's proposal, saying it was unimpressed by the "relatively slow speed" M2Z planned to offer end users and indicated the company's rollout plans weren't "particularly aggressive."

For more about the FCC's denial of M2Z's proposal:
- read this article from Cnet News
-
take a look at the FCC's order
- here's M2Z's release on their grassroots efforts