For Immediate Release
Contact: Kelly Wismer, 703-351-2015, [email protected]
Philadelphia, Pa. (September 27, 2017)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today joined the Broadband Access Coalition (BAC) in its effort to petition the FCC to authorize a licensed, point-to-multipoint (P2MP) fixed wireless service in the underutilized 3.7 – 4.2 GHz spectrum band. The proposed licensing scheme and operating rules have the potential to enable high-speed broadband service in rural and other underserved areas.
“NTCA recognizes and greatly appreciates the efforts of the BAC to help address and overcome the challenges of deploying and sustaining broadband in rural America,” said Shirley Bloomfield, Chief Executive Officer of NTCA. “We believe the introduction of the BAC and its petition to the FCC will provide another important ‘tool in the toolkit’ in our shared national mission to accelerate the deployment of robust and affordable broadband in rural areas that are the most challenging to serve. NTCA looks forward to working closely with the BAC and the FCC to tackle the important issues addressed by this petition.”
Jaime Fink, founding member of BAC and Mimosa chief product officer said, “We are excited to welcome NTCA to the Broadband Access Coalition. Its nearly 850 service provider members understand clearly the critical importance of providing a compelling broadband experience to everyone in America.” Fink continued, “We strongly believe that, if granted, the BAC petition to the FCC will provide NTCA members a useful tool to help rapidly deploy ultrafast broadband services to rural areas.”
The BAC continues to grow in membership, and includes a diverse group of more than 30 service providers, equipment vendors, and trade associations and non-profit public advocacy groups. The BAC co-founders are Mimosa Networks, the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA), and New America’s Open Technology Institute.
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NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. NTCA advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and it provides training and development; publications and industry events; and an array of employee benefit programs. In an era of exploding technology, deregulation and marketplace competition, NTCA’s members are leading the IP evolution for rural consumers, delivering technologies that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development and commerce, education, health care, government services, security and smart energy use. Visit us at www.ntca.org.
The Broadband Access Coalition, a large and diverse group of tech companies, broadband ISPs, and non-profit public policy groups, has petitioned the FCC to open up the airwaves to create this new super-fast broadband service for America. The co-founders are Mimosa Networks, Inc., the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA), and the Open Technology Institute at New America. Service providers in the BAC include Cincinnati Bell Inc., All Points Broadband, Amplex Internet, Dillon Beach Internet Service, Ethoplex, GeoLinks, Google, Intelliwave, Micronet, New Lisbon Broadband and Communications, Red Spectrum Communications, Rise Broadband, Sail Internet, Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative, SpeedConnect, US Internet, Winfinity and Wisper Internet. Other members that are equipment suppliers include Cambium Networks, Cambridge Broadband Networks, ConVergence Technologies, Quantenna Communications and Telrad Networks. Other members that are non-profit public advocacy groups include the Consumer Federation of America, the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition, the American Library Association, and Public Knowledge. In addition, FCC Spectrum Coordinators Intelpath and Micronet, are also members of the Coalition.