On May 5, 2006, M2Z Networks filed an application with the FCC to lease 20 MHz of nationwide Spectrum at 2.155 GHz. The spectrum is un-paired and has been lying fallow (un-used) for over 5 years, according to the website. M2Z is a VC-backed start-up founded by John Muleta, the former head of the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. It’s marketing itself on the premise of building a national public safety network, plus offering a family-friendly internet access (read filtered), 512k of ad-supported free access, and a wholesale network. However, it wants this unused spectrum – 20 MHz, the 2155-2175 MHz band, aka 2.1 GHz – for free! Actually, M2Z wants to lease the spectrum by paying 5% of gross revenues to the US Treasury.
Since the FCC petition by M2Z is 15 months old, it seems like the FCC Chairman is ignoring it. According to GigaOm, M2Z is taking the FCC to court to get its due process, the process detailed in Section 7 of the Telecom Act of 1996. M2Z is getting plenty of support from the PTA and First Responders.
UPDATE: 9/1/07. FCC Rejects the M2Z Plan. Martin wants to spend the usual 5-7 years looking at things before siding with the telcos.
BTW, Every 7 Minutes an American is Telling the FCC to Approve M2Z
