WISPA Urges New Spectrum Policy

WISPA emphasizes the deployment, financing and sustainability of affordable spectrum to help facilitate broadband service to rural, unserved and underserved areas of the country. The Federal Communications Commission should re-focus its spectrum policies:

1) designate 300 megahertz of spectrum for fixed wireless broadband, which may be the only technology capable of economically serving remote areas,

2) allocate this spectrum as well as TV white spaces and other spectrum blocks according to non-exclusive "licensed lite" (or "hybrid") procedures that combine the benefits of affordability, rapid deployment and private resolution of interference disputes,

3) consider incorporating "spectrum homesteading," a cousin of "licensed lite" that would convert a non-exclusive license into an exclusive license if the licensee meets aggressive build-out, service and localism requirements,

4) for any licenses the FCC auctions, geographic areas should be small enough that WISPs and other bidders do not have to purchase more spectrum than they need,

5) consider market-based approaches to spectrum auctions, and

6) strengthen "substantial service" rules to require auction winners to serve high-cost areas.