WCAI Promotes Universal Wireless Broadband Access in Comments on ARRA Broadband Initiatives

As part of our mission to promote universal wireless broadband access in the United States, we at WCAI today submitted two separate sets of comments with the NTIA/RUS and the FCC to assist the Agencies in implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s broadband initiatives.

Because mobile wireless broadband service is a separate product market, WCAI urged NTIA to define areas in which mobile wireless broadband service is unavailable as “unserved,” even if fixed broadband is available. In this proceeding there seems to be a misperception that, with the advent of IP-enabled services, all communications services now participate in a single ‘broadband’ product market. During the roundtable phase of the public comment period, many commenters appeared to assume that the only differentiator of broadband services is speed. However, the differences between wireless and wired networks are more than purely technical or speed-related – the ability of wireless networks to offer mobility places mobile wireless broadband in an entirely separate product market.

Fortunately, there is no need for the Agencies to define the relevant broadband product markets anew to implement the ARRA. The FCC has already delineated between mobile and fixed broadband product markets in the context of its orders addressing various merger and other transactions. The Agencies should rely on this body of precedent when implementing the ARRA.

Other WCAI recommendations include:

• The Agencies should consider separate speeds for mobile wireless broadband networks.
• NTIA should define areas in which mobile wireless broadband service capable of delivering at least 3 mbps downlink and 768 kbps uplink speeds is unavailable as “underserved.”
• The Agencies should reject requests to limit initial rounds of funding to “unserved” areas only and instead consider both “unserved” and “underserved” areas simultaneously.
• Projects that receive funding should represent the optimal mix of capabilities and cost.
• The Agencies should provide funding to “middle mile” only projects where appropriate, because delivering broadband to end users often requires a complementary backhaul solution.
• The Agencies should give substantial consideration to the views of the States, but the Agencies should not delegate wholesale their responsibility to review and rank applications.

WCAI Comments to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Rural Utilities Service: http://www.wcai.com/images/pdf/2009_wcai4-9.pdf.

WCAI Comments to the Federal Communications Commission: http://www.wcai.com/images/pdf/2009_fcc4-9.pdf.

WCAI Applauds FCC Move to Develop National Broadband Plan

The FCC today adopted a notice of inquiry seeking public comment on the national broadband plan that the Commission is required to prepare under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). We at WCAI are pleased to see the FCC take first step in this important process. Wireless broadband platforms should play a leading role in the Commission’s plan to ensure that every American has access to broadband capability. Wireless technology is the most cost-effective way to provide affordable broadband both to sparsely populated rural areas and urban centers. Moreover, as the only broadband platform that is capable of providing access everywhere, all the time, wireless broadband offers mobility – a connection to every person whether at home or on the go. These capabilities make wireless broadband essential to achieving the FCC’s goal of universal broadband connectivity.”

WCAI Congratulates Jonathan Adelstein on Nomination as RUS Administrator

As expected, the White House on Friday announced President Obama's intent to nominate FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein to be the new Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service in the Department of Agriculture. WCAI applauds President Obama’s selection and congratulates Mr. Adelstein on the nomination. The nomination comes at a critical time, as RUS is putting together a program to distribute $2.5 billion in loans, loan guarantees, and grants as part of the economic stimulus plan. A strong advocate for increased broadband deployments in rural areas, Adelstein is the ideal candidate to lead RUS efforts to improve rural telecommunications and broadband. We at WCAI look forward to working with Mr. Adelstein to promote innovative wireless broadband services and achieve universal wireless broadband access in the United States.

WCAI Congratulates Julius Genachowski on Nomination as FCC Chairman

Today, President Barack Obama nominated Julius Genachowski to be the next FCC Chairman. WCAI applauds President Obama’s selection of Mr. Genachowski to head the Commission. Mr. Genachowski’s proven experience in public policy and business development is great news for the industry and users of wireless broadband services. We look forward to working with the new Chairman to promote innovative wireless broadband services and achieve universal wireless broadband access in the United States

WCAI Congratulates Alcatel-Lucent on Selection as Primary Vendor for Verizon’s LTE Network

Verizon Wireless announced today that it selected WCAI Board Member Alcatel-Lucent as one of the two primary vendors for its initial LTE network deployments in the United States. WCAI congratulates Alcatel Lucent on this major announcement. As the industry is migrating to the next-generation technology networks, LTE will play a major role in enabling new forms of communication and helping achieve universal wireless broadband connectivity worldwide. A technology-neutral Association for the wireless broadband industry, WCAI promotes continued progress in the deployment and adoption of wireless broadband technology around the globe. We are delighted to see our Board members, such as Alcatel Lucent, play an instrumental role in achieving this goal.

WCAI Files for Extension of FCC Form 477 Deadline

Joined by several other industry trade associations, WCAI today sought extension of the March 2, 2009 filing deadline for FCC Form 477, which is used by the Commission to collect detailed information regarding the state of broadband deployment in the United States. Because that form is still not available for filers to complete online (as is now required), broadband providers face a practical impediment to meeting the Commission’s March 2, 2009 filing deadline. We urged the Commission to extend the filing deadline until 30 days after the newly-revised version of that form becomes available for online completion by filers. Joining WCAI were the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association, COMPTEL and TEXALTEL.

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.