The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) told the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), a rural-first approach to spectrum policy represents the quickest, most cost-effective way to bring more high-speed broadband to farmers. The FSA is collecting public input about spectrum requirements for non-federal spectrum users and what the FSA can do to improve the availability of broadband in rural areas.
“Rural America could be more connected and more prosperous if government boosts meaningful access to useable spectrum for small, rural broadband providers,” said WISPA President/CEO Claude Aikin in filed comments. WISPA points out that future demand for internet connectivity in rural areas will grow considerably. Without the availability of unlicensed spectrum and right-sized license assignments in licensed bands, smaller rural providers may be denied access to spectrum, hampering the quick and efficient roll out of broadband services in less populated regions, according to the association.
Automated spectrum management and frequency coordination methods play an integral role in promoting more intensive and efficient use of spectrum, and are particularly important in rural areas where licensed spectrum assignments are often underused or go entirely unused. WISPA says low and mid-band spectrum are ideal for use in rural areas due to favorable propagation characteristics. But the greatest current need is for mid-band spectrum, such as that in the CBRS and C-bands, to facilitate the provision of fixed wireless links that can provide high-quality broadband connectivity to rural locations in a cost-efficient manner.
April 3, 2019
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