InternetFCC Concedes to Testing on Free Internet Plan

Amid pressure from T-Mobile and other carriers, commission agrees to conduct interference testing ahead of new spectrum auction.

Bowing to requests from wireless carriers, the Federal Communications Commission has agreed to postpone its plans to move forward with a controversial initiative to create a family-friendly network that would provide free Internet access to nearly all Americans. The tension arises from T-Mobile's claim, supported by its fellow carriers, that the spectrum the FCC would auction for the proposed network would interfere with transmissions on existing wireless networks. "We're going to participate in some testing with T-mobile in Seattle to determine to what level there maybe interference before we proceed," FCC spokesman Robert Kenny told InternetNews.com. The trial will take place Sept. 3 through 5 at Boeing's test facility outside the city. Julius Knapp, the chief engineer at the FCC's office of engineering and technology will conduct the trials with three other engineers from the commission, along with a contingent from T-Mobile. The FCC has not previously conducted its own testing. RELATED ARTICLES FCC Weighs Next Steps on Free U.S. Broadband Lawmakers Ask FCC to Nix Free Internet Plan Net Privacy Could See Action in Next Congress Spectrum Proposal Draws T-Mobile's Fire Vista Service Pack Poses Some Pesky Problems For more stories on this topic: Supporters of the plan, including FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, had previously argued that no further testing was needed, arguing against delays on the grounds... [ Read more on www.internetnews.com ]

InternetEnterprises Looking to the Clouds, Dell Says

System provider Dell pushing hardware, infrastructure help to oil giants, Facebook, Goldman Sachs and others.

InternetMalaysia blocks anti-government news Web site (AP)

AP - Malaysia has blocked access to a popular news Web site that often runs afoul of authorities for its sensational political reporting, sparking complaints Thursday that the government has reneged on its pledge to keep cyberspace uncensored.