The Board of Directors for the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) is extending the contract of WISPA President and CEO, Claude Aiken, until 2022. Doing so will allow the board to further enact changes to the association that reflect the evolving WISP industry and its role in bringing innovative, competitive and increasing broadband capabilities to rural and urban America.
A leader on broadband policy, Aiken joined WISPA in 2018, after nearly a decade at the FCC.
While there, he served as an advisor to Chairman Tom Wheeler and Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. He held senior leadership positions in the Wireline Bureau and Office of General Counsel, as well staff attorney roles throughout the Commission.
“We brought Claude on because of his tremendous depth of experience and vision,” notes WISPA Board Chair Nathan Stooke. “Since he’s been here, WISPA’s seen great success in guiding the industry through the ceaseless challenges wrought by technology and policy. We simply could not have maneuvered as nimbly or effectively without Claude’s hand at the helm. Keeping him on will allow us to repeat that success and continue to grow the industry.”
“I want to thank the board for showing confidence in me and the team we’re building,” said Aiken. “Our growing members are in the business of connecting unserved and underserved communities with broadband. WISPA is here to help them concentrate on that instead of red tape and other distractions which can get in the way of that important work.”
WISPA’s approximately 850 members are composed of fixed Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) and the industry that supports fixed wireless broadband, including equipment suppliers, support services, and other components needed to run a successful business. WISPs are generally small, self-financed businesses, serving mainly rural customers with fixed wireless broadband service via unlicensed spectrum.
A growing number of WISPs are hybrids, offering a mix of wireless and fiber connectivity. With greater frequency, more WISPs are competing in urban environments, going head-to-head with legacy providers for new customers.
January 8, 2020
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