TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FCC OKs Plan for Free Wireless Links: The Federal Communications Commission voted 4-0 to move ahead a plan to set aside a large chunk of the airwaves for free, high-speed wireless links that could be used to connect computers in schools, hospitals and businesses to the Internet. That would mean that, unlike cellular phone customers, buyers of devices that use this spectrum would not be tethered to, or have to pay, a company for service. The commission is expected to give final approval to the plan later this year. For now, experts say the technology doesn’t make sense for home computer users. But it would provide an alternative to fee-based telephone lines and licensed two-way wireless services for sending e-mail, faxes and computer files across short distances, such as an office park or college campus.