WCAI Applauds Congress for Passing Incentive Spectrum Auction Legislation

WCAI applauds Congress for passing legislation to make more wireless spectrum available. This legislation will cement our global leadership in mobile broadband communications, create thousands of jobs, and give public safety the network it needs when our first responders stand in harm’s way. It is also a testament to the enduring ability of our nation's leaders in Congress to come together when our nation's most critical issues are at stake.

WCAI Applauds President Obama’s National Wireless Initiative

U.S. President Barack Obama Thursday outlined his plan for expanding high-speed wireless Internet service to 98% of Americans as part of the Administration’s National Wireless Initiative. The speech came after President Obama viewed a demonstration of a WiMAX system operated by Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on EBS spectrum.

“WCAI applauds the Obama Administration’s commitment to bring wireless broadband service to all Americans, including in rural areas, and to promote investment in America’s broadband infrastructure,” WCAI President and CEO Fred Campbell said in a statement. “As the only broadband platform that is capable of providing access everywhere, all the time, and at affordable prices, wireless broadband is essential to improving education, creating new jobs and growing the American economy. We look forward to working with President Obama, the FCC and Congress to implement this initiative.”

The key elements of the administration’s plan are:

• Freeing up 500 MHz of spectrum, including the use of “voluntary incentive auctions” and more efficient use of government spectrum, estimated to raise $27.8 billion over the next decade.

• Provide at least 98% of Americans with access to 4G high-speed wireless via a one-time investment of $5 billion and reform of the Universal Service Fund.

• Catalyze innovation by devoting $3 billion of the spectrum proceeds to a Wireless Investment (WIN) fund supporting research and development of emerging wireless technologies and applications.

• A $10.7 billion commitment to support the development and deployment of a nationwide wireless broadband network to afford public safety agencies with far greater levels of effectiveness and interoperability. An important element of this plan is the reallocation of the D Block for public safety and $500 million within the WIN Fund.

• $9.6 Billion of spectrum auction revenue will be devoted to deficit reduction.
  

Further information may become available when the Administration releases its budget proposal next week.

WCAI Applauds Obama Administration’s Commitment to Auction Off 500 MHz of Federal and Commercial Spectrum

Today, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum to commit the Federal government to auction off 500 MHz of Federal and commercial spectrum over the next 10 years to meet the demand for mobile and fixed broadband. On behalf of the Wireless Broadband industry, I applaud the Obama Administration for recognizing the importance of wireless broadband for today’s global economy and for its commitment to significantly increase the amount of commercial spectrum. The initiative is a critical step toward achieving universal broadband connectivity through the only broadband platform that is capable of providing access everywhere, all the time. We look forward to working the Administration, FCC, NTIA, Congress and other stakeholders to help implement this important initiative.

WCAI Members Invited to Attend a Webinar on FCC National Broadband Plan

The FCC this month delivered to Congress a massive, 360-page-long National Broadband Plan setting a U.S. broadband agenda for the next decade and beyond. The Plan outlines dozens of policy recommendations to achieve the ambitious goals of extending low-cost, high-speed Internet service to all Americans by 2020 and transforming the U.S. into a world leader in mobile broadband use and innovation. Mandated by last year's stimulus legislation, the Plan is widely expected to set the FCC's agenda for years to come.

Join the WCAI members-only virtual meeting on Thursday, April 1, 2010 at 2pm EDT and learn from Paul Sinderbrand, WCAI Counsel and a partner at Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, what this Plan means for the wireless broadband industry in general and for your business in particular.

This event is organized by the WCAI's Emerging Markets Committee and is open to WCAI members only. Register Now!

WCAI Applauds Inclusion of Funding for Wireless Broadband in Economic Stimulus Bill

Congress has passed an economic stimulus bill, which includes funding for the delivery of wireless broadband to rural areas. WCAI applauds Congress for keeping in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill over $6 billion in grants for the expansion of broadband areas across America. Continued progress in the deployment and adoption of broadband technology is vital to ensuring that the United States remains competitive worldwide. As the only broadband platform that is capable of providing access everywhere, all the time, wireless broadband is essential to bringing innovation and helping reach the Obama Administration’s goal of achieving universal broadband connectivity. WCAI is particularly pleased that under the final Bill, commercial entities are clearly eligible for direct grants from NTIA. WCAI members stand ready to move forward with plans to bring wireless broadband to rural and underserved areas. Having direct access to grant funding will allow them to do so in a timely manner, helping create jobs fast, enable productivity, and jump-start our economy.