FCC eases wireless Web rules

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday eased rules on wireless Internet services sold by telecommunications companies including AT&T; Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc.

The wireless broadband order frees Internet access on hand-held devices from “commercial mobile radio service” rules that apply to wireless telephone services.

Thursday’s ruling subjects all wireless Internet services to the same rules as land line broadband access offered by telephone companies and cable providers such as Comcast Corp.

The measure will encourage broadband investment by letting wireless Internet carriers compete on a level playing field with other high-speed providers, FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin said.

The commission also invited public comment on whether to write net neutrality rules that would bar all broadband providers from charging companies such as Google Inc. new fees for priority network access.

Both measures won unanimous approval from the five-member FCC panel. The commission’s two Democrats generally agreed with the goal of applying consistent rules to all broadband services. Still, they warned that the wireless Internet order could erode consumer protections.

“The multifaceted nature of wireless services and devices raises a whole host of novel questions that [the] order does not even attempt to answer,” Democratic Commissioner Michael J. Copps said.

Phone privacy rules would not cover all features of Apple Inc.’s iPhone, Copps said.

The device, which the company plans to release in June, combines an iPod music player with a mobile-phone handset and will use AT&T;’s wireless network.

The iPhone also will let users access the Internet for free in areas where unlicensed wireless fidelity, or Wi-Fi, signals are available.