The FCC gave a nod to free WiFi on Friday, but it could be a very long time before this mythical free broadband network actually materializes -- and to some extent, wireless carriers may be to blame for delaying the auction process.
"The wireless carriers have essentially held this spectrum hostage. It's now time for the FCC -- which always talks about how broadband is a priority -- to create a real alternative," says John Muleta, co-founder and CEO of M2Z, a startup that hopes to offer free WiFi nationwide. "[The U.S. is] now ranked 15th for broadband penetration, and this is the kind of plan that would really move the needle," says Muleta.