The FCC is considering whether to use publicly owned spectrum to provide free or low-cost wireless broadband service, according to a Reuters report today:

One way of making broadband more affordable is to "consider use of spectrum for a free or a very low cost wireless broadband service," the FCC said in a statement.

A recommendation will come in the National Broadband Plan due next week, with details to be sorted out later, the report said.

Free federal wireless broadband was mentioned in a statement released at the "Digital Inclusion Summit" in Washington, D.C. Most of its proposals focused on educating people to increase "digital literacy."

The upcoming broadband plan should increase home broadband use from 65 percent of homes to 90 percent by 2020, the FCC statement said.

"In order to ensure long term American competitiveness and prosperity, we must not leave one-third of the nation behind," FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said in the release. "The National Broadband Plan provides a vision for federal, state and local leadership and partnerships with the private and non-profit communities that will bridge the digital divide and transform America into a nation where broadband expands opportunities for all."