High-speed Internet access is so important to the welfare of U.S. consumers that America can't afford not to offer it — free of charge — to anybody who wants it, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin has told USA TODAY.

Leslie Cauley reports: "Martin wants to use a block of wireless spectrum to help bridge the gap. By attaching a 'free broadband' condition to the sale of the spectrum, known as AWS-3 (for advanced wireless services-3), Martin thinks he can help drive broadband adoption in rural areas in particular. Only 25% of network capacity would have to be reserved for free broadband. The rest could be used to provide premium broadband services."

Karl Bode of DSLreports.com however, says Martin is no consumer advocate: "Still, between his rather toothless crackdown on Comcast and his new wireless broadband plan, he's doing a bang up job convincing the mainstream press otherwise as he prepares for a post-FCC political career."

Read full story: USA Today

Related topics: Access Providers, Broadband, Policy & Regulation, Telecom