Rural America Has Stake in Public Airwaves Battle
Posted on June 17.2008 by wallybowen
The Internet is changing from an "information highway" where all traffic is treated equally to a divided "toll road" where the traffic of favored users gets express treatment, while all others ride second class. There are two possible solutions to this harmful discrimination, Congress could pass "net neutrality" legislation to restore a non-discriminatory Internet or, the more realistic and lasting solution, is to use markets and competition to create a "third pipe" - an alternative broadband Internet service using wireless technologies not subject to duopoly control.
That third pipe would be built using vacant television broadcast spectrum or "white space." This valuable portion of the public airwaves - on loan to TV broadcasters - that sits vacant in virtually all U.S. communities holds the key to an open internet and an alternative to conventional broadband delivery. Recent studies measured this vacant spectrum at 62 percent in Tallahassee, Fla.; 70 percent in Columbia, S.C.; and 72 percent in Charleston, W. Va.
TV broadcasters want to warehouse this spectrum for future speculation and profit, despite the fact that it belongs to the American people, while broadcasters occupy it but pay no rent. Thus, a new "battle for the public airwaves" has begun, with broadcast lobbyists raising alarms that unlicensed use of this vacant spectrum will interfere with local TV reception. These claims are bogus. Today's smart digital technologies can operate in these "white spaces" without interference.
The Wireless Innovation Act of 2007 would return a portion of the public airwaves to the public, create an alternative Internet "third pipe," and solve the rural broadband problem once and for all. What are we waiting for?
(Wally Bowen is executive director of the Mountain Area Information Network (MAIN) and former member of the N.C. Rural Internet Access Authority. http://www.main.nc.us )
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Coalition for Wireless Innovation Continues to Grows in Number a
Hi Wally,
I just saw that you joined the WIA - Conrgats, it seems like a great group doing good work:
June 17, 2008
Coalition for Wireless Innovation Continues to Grows in Number and Influence
Mountain Area Information Network, Prometheus Radio Project Join WIA
Washington, D.C. – The Wireless Innovation Alliance (WIA) today proudly announced that the Prometheus Radio Project and the Mountain Area Information Network (MAIN) have joined the coalition’s effort to realize the potential of vacant broadcast spectrum known as ‘white space.’ The non-profit community connectivity advocates are the most recent organizations to join the 18-member alliance and the third in three weeks - communications industry leader, Motorola joined WIA on May 29th.
“MAIN and Prometheus and their respective work embody WIA’s mission and commitment to innovation,” Brian Peters, a spokesperson for the Wireless Innovation Alliance said. “Like each member of WIA, these organizations are focused on connecting people and bringing much needed communications resources to underserved communities. We are proud to welcome them into the Alliance. The Alliance is united by our shared commitment to making the promise of white space a reality, connecting underserved communities and putting the public broadcast spectrum to work for the public good.”
"The unlicensed use of the 'white spaces' spectrum is by far the most cost-effective way to provide affordable broadband to underserved rural communities throughout America,” said Wally Bowen, founder and executive director of MAIN. "MAIN has been providing broadband wireless in the mountains of North Carolina since 2003, but because of the limitations of licensed spectrum, we are still only able to reach about 30 percent of the homes and businesses who want and need our service. Unlicensed access to the TV white space will solve this problem and deliver a long overdue broadband solution for rural America. We are delighted to bring a rural voice to the Alliance."
“We are committed to bringing community radio to every city in the country, but we are also fighting to realize the benefits of accessing new spectrum, white spaces and beyond,” Pete Tridish, a spokesperson for the Prometheus Radio Project said. “Communities should have access to their own airwaves and be given the ability to use the empty spectrum to serve their needs. The potential of white space powered communications has become clear and we must do all do we can to ensure it becomes a reality.”
For more information about the Wireless Innovation Alliance, please visit us at: www.wirelessinnovationalliance.com