wireless spectrum

The Federal Communications Commission revealed broad outlines Wednesday for the national broadband plan it is scheduled to submit to Congress early next year. One of the major challenges is to more effectively use the nation's existing telecommunication assets -- including the available wireless spectrum, which is facing impending shortages -- according to a report from the FCC's broadband task force.

Another major wireless carrier will offer Google's open-source Android mobile platform as Verizon Wireless agreed to collaborate on "leading-edge mobile applications, services and devices." With this agreement, Android will now be offered by three of the four major U.S. carriers.

AT&T is the only carrier not yet on the Android train. T-Mobile was first, and Sprint Nextel has also climbed aboard.

Android Devices Soon

AT&T is investing $17 billion to $18 billion to speed up its wireless 3G network. The Texas-based carrier also said Wednesday that it will upgrade its 3G network starting this year and finishing in 2011.

HSPA 7.2 technology will be added to the network for a better user experience. Since offering 3G service in 350 U.S. metropolitan areas, AT&T has added more than twice the number of smartphone users as its competitors. The increased demand has resulted in complaints for the exclusive provider of Apple iPhone service in the U.S.

A debate between the Federal Communications Commission and the outgoing Bush administration centers on the FCC's plan to make broadband available for free at government-mandated speeds.

In a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez said providing free broadband services would be counterproductive, result in a congested and inefficient broadband, and be inconsistent with the Bush administration's stand that the service should be allocated by the markets, not the government.

The Federal Communications Commission has released an engineering report that opens the door for the FCC to apportion a chunk of wireless spectrum for free Internet services across the nation.

"We need to reserve some spectrum for free broadband services," FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said. "This would be a lifeline broadband service that would be designed for lower-income people who may not otherwise have access to the Internet."