Federal Communications Commission rejects proposal for free wireless broadband service

FCC rejects proposal for free wireless service

WASHINGTON — Federal regulators are shooting down a proposal by a startup called M2Z Networks Inc. to build a free, nationwide wireless broadband network using a spare slice of airwaves.

The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday said it has rejected M2Z’s request that the agency demand that the winner of an auction for the radio spectrum provide free Internet service to anyone who connects to it.

The FCC didn’t explain its rejection, but established wireless carriers have complained that use of the spectrum could interfere with their own services in adjacent bands.