National Public WiFi plan

[RV_]

Folks,

This is one you may want to write your congress critters about. The FCC is proposing a coast to coast public system with faster more powerful WiFi, and coverage, cutting out the cell phone bills. The big telcos are outraged and spending millions on lobbying. Funny thing here is that Google, MS, and other tech giants are for it. This proposal is good for RVrs, good for the folks stuck in the monopoly of the cable companies, and the high cost of communications by cells.

 

This is one I will start writing letters about. This transcends politics as the FCC solicits publuc comment for every proposal.

 

Read details here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/tech-telecom-giants-take-sides-as-fcc-proposes-large-public-wifi-networks/2013/02/03/eb27d3e0-698b-11e2-ada3-d86a4806d5ee_story.html?wpisrc=nl_tech

[Medico]

This topic also appears in this thread and also in this thread.

 

This one could go either way. I think I will wait until we see exactly what this will cost and exactly who will benefit most. Something like this could end up making the devices we use more expensive. So like I say, I will wait and see what comes of it before deciding whether to support or oppose it.

[DavidMc]

A single federally structured communication system would certainly be easier to control.

[folivier]

Wow, free they say?

The government running something efficiently?

No thanks, think I'll stick with the free enterprise system we have now. No telling how much that free internet will end up costing us by the time all of the, oh never mind.

[mcbockalds]

Very interesting concept as presented by the article.

 

I think the article needs to be read before assuming this is about a government run operation, it isn't. And then again just what is it that is free in a "free" enterprise system? I like our competitive enterprise system when it is competitive. Cause when it ain't competitive it sure ain't free, especially for the consumer. But "free" sounds so nice and it sure sells.

 

 

Cheers John

[Ray,IN]

I seem to remember this was a campaign promise in 2008.

[Kirk W]

I don't think that I'd plan to start using that just yet. When something seems too good to be true................................

[georgemayleben]

Folks,

This is one you may want to write your congress critters about. The FCC is proposing a coast to coast public system with faster more powerful WiFi, and coverage, cutting out the cell phone bills. The big telcos are outraged and spending millions on lobbying. Funny thing here is that Google, MS, and other tech giants are for it. This proposal is good for RVrs, good for the folks stuck in the monopoly of the cable companies, and the high cost of communications by cells.

 

This is one I will start writing letters about. This transcends politics as the FCC solicits publuc comment for every proposal.

 

Read details here:

http://www.washingto...?wpisrc=nl_tech

 

I fall on the side of keeping the government out of anything that isn't national defense or our security. Let me see, they run our railroad trains that they can't keep on schedule and costs as much or more than air travel. The promised that it would be self supporting. Everything they touch that is supposed to be self supporting ends up with overruns that stagger the imagination. There isn't one enacted program that has come in on time and at the projected cost. As bad as cellular and wifi service is, wait until it is "free".

[Medico]

Heck, in April the USPS is stopping Sat deliveries because they are so far in the red.

[Barsignrt]

The government set up GPS..no charge..why not WIFI ! Can you image company's charging for GPS signal...YES !

 

 

 

Www.epi-rv.blogspot.com. Epinephrine Adventures Travel Blog

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lynn1944]

Rember the only thing you get for nothing is ..........

[Pieere]

I sure am happy I'm getting older!!!! Most free stuff the gov. offers; usually has a loop-hole somewhere. Watch out for wolves in sheep's clothing!

[mcbockalds]

I'm kinda glad they started the National Park system and the Interstate Hwy system ain't too bad if you want to drive efficiently. I prefer the less efficient but more scenic Blue Hwys, sometimes the federal govment is just too efficient.

 

Cheers John

[desertranger]

HAM radio licenses are still free.

 

Trhe hard ware is an arm and a leg though.

[butch&fonda]

Ham radio licenses are INEXPENSIVE, but NOT FREE.

 

At present it is about $15.00, good for 10 years, with a Vanity call being a little more $$.

 

Butch Williams, W9MCI

[desertranger]

Ham radio licenses are INEXPENSIVE, but NOT FREE.

 

At present it is about $15.00, good for 10 years, with a Vanity call being a little more $.

 

Butch Williams, W9MCI

 

When did this happen? As I recall the fees went to the VEs for processing and mailing the app. Standard call signs have always been free unless congress changed the law. It was part of the law that made HAMS a Strategic National Resource. That happened just after WWII started I seem to remember. Vanity call signs are a gimmick by the FCC to make money. As if they can solve the budget short fall with a few vanity call signs.

[butch&fonda]

Yes, you are correct, but while the FCC has no charge for the license, a person must take and pass the appropriate test(s) to obtain one.

 

And, although there may well be some VE teams that proctor the test for free, I haven't seen or heard ofthem doing so. That would be the exception not the rule.

 

That is the fee (the testing fee) that I was referring to.

 

Butch Williams, W9MCI

[GdognTimber]

The government set up GPS..no charge..why not WIFI ! Can you image company's charging for GPS signal...YES !

 

When Garman first came out with GPS, for the first year, we did pay a monthly fee.....it was really kinda funny ...but we loved that green screen. Saved our butts a time or two in the rogue white outs we got trapped in.

[Mark and Dale Bruss]

The government set up GPS..no charge..why not WIFI ! Can you image company's charging for GPS signal.

Yes the government set up GPS but not for civilians. The initial project was paid from the military budget. Over time civilians were allowed to access GPS, first as a degraded level, and then at then current full accuracy.

 

Hard for companies to charge for something free from the government. Now, if the original GPS manufacturers would have had to pay for the satellites, then GPS wouldn't be so cheap.

 

Just one of those things we benefit from because the military lead the way.

[StarDreamers.us]

I always remember when they say "I am from the government and I am here to help you" There is nothing free from the government

someone had to pay.

 

Safe Travels!

[Pete Kildow]

Have to ask? How is it free? Anything that we as a nation think is free, someone's tax dollars are paying for it. One reason our nation is in the shape its in now. So many people want free free free, and thinking its free. Cut out all this free crap and see a nation grow to what it was before handouts.

Pete

[roadhousecharley]

Happened over 10 years ago. Just got the bill for my renewal. Paid it last time. Gonna let it lapse this time.

When did this happen? As I recall the fees went to the VEs for processing and mailing the app. Standard call signs have always been free unless congress changed the law. It was part of the law that made HAMS a Strategic National Resource. That happened just after WWII started I seem to remember. Vanity call signs are a gimmick by the FCC to make money. As if they can solve the budget short fall with a few vanity call signs.

[BrianT]

There could be other objectives. You think the govt does a lot of snooping now? Wait until they run the nationwide communication network. They won't have to get permission to snoop on anything. They'll have it all right there in front of them as they will have been the go between for nearly every communication. It's also something they could cut off on a whim when they have another of their little govt shutdowns and poke at the collective sheeple while they put on their little show of tantrums for all to see. What the govt givith, the govt can taketh away.

 

Yes, it would be great for rvers.

 

I didn't read the articles. Did the get specific enough to give an idea of what frequencies they'd likely be using or the actual coverage? 100% coverage would be difficult and expensive. The bandwidth requirements would be staggering.

[StarDreamers.us]

Maybe it would be just as easy to just cc our Uncle Sam on all our communications. They read almost everything as it is today.

 

Safe Travels!

[dmcb]

It would be a godsend for those who live in remote areas where the internet is limited.

In our remote area of Michigan, there is only one service. A lot of snowbirds live there as it is very cold and a lot of snow. 90 inches all ready this winter.

Here is the problem.

You have to have a phone line. That costs about $40/mo even if you don't use it at all. You must keep it on for 6 months and pay a fee to put it on vacation.

Then the same rules apply if you want internet only the cost is more in addition to the phone.

We are there about 2 months total with time in the spring and fall We are gone for the summer months.

Our problem but you can see the costs of having a phone and internet for us or anyone living there. You have no other choice.

Even the one cell tower doesn't support internet.

I support the nationwide concept because the internet has become a way of life and those in remote areas are put at a disadvantage.