FCC Goes WiFi

The FCC will provide free wireless Internet access to visitors at its Washington headquarters.
“When you come to the FCC, leave the cords at home,” said FCC Chairman Michael Powell. “We’re embracing the power of WiFi and the freedom and convenience of wireless Internet access it gives to consumers.”
Last year, Powell directed his staff to take the steps needed to make the FCC one of the first federal agencies to provide public WiFi access. Visitors bringing their own hardware and software can use the service on the Twelfth Street, Courtyard, and Eighth Floor levels of the headquarters located at 445 12th Street, SW in Washington.
The system uses the 802.11a and 802.11b protocols, commonly referred to as WiFi. The commission cannot provide technical support, and all transactions using this service are the responsibility of the visitor.
At present, the FCC will not request personal identifying information prior to allowing access to the wireless network. If requested by outside authorities, however, the FCC will provide data from system audit logs to support external investigations of improper Internet use.