The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) is worried about what it considers to be NTIA’s restrictive definition of “reliable broadband.” The association wants unlicensed fixed wireless added to NTIA’s definition for the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
In a letter to NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson, WISPA President/CEO David Zumwalt details the association’s recent efforts to persuade NTIA to change the “reliable broadband” definition. Doing so “would prevent needless, costly, and frankly irrational, overbuilding,” says Zumwalt.
“There are approximately 1.9 million last-mile locations currently served by fixed wireless broadband networks using entirely unlicensed spectrum. If the NTIA comes back on its “no unlicensed wireless myopia,” by our calculations it would free-up $8.6 billion of BEAD funding to connect truly unserved homes and businesses,” notes Zumwalt.
WISPA representatives and member companies Cambium Networks, Siklu and Tarana Wireless met with NTIA staffers in November and December. Zumwalt says the meetings prove that, “wireless networks using entirely unlicensed spectrum meet the BEAD NOFO [Notice of Funding Opportunity] definition for reliable broadband service.” WISPA is asking NTIA again to publish an amendment to the BEAD NOFO that includes these networks in the list of reliable broadband services.
To-date, NTIA has not responded, WISPA told Inside Towers.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
Reader Interactions