What They Are Saying: Broad-Base of Support for FCC Action to Support Rural Broadband Innovation, Help Bridge Digital Divide
Wide-Array of Voices Applaud Chairman Pai and Commission for Adoption of TV White Space Rulemaking
On Friday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
unanimously voted
to adopt a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to clear regulatory barriers to
TV white space (TVWS) technology as a critical tool to help eliminate the
digital divide. The rulemaking, advanced by Chairman Ajit Pai, will help
maximize spectrum resources to close the broadband gap, as well as enhance the
scale and pace of broadband deployments in rural America.
Support for Chairman Pai and the FCC’s leadership on this
issue has poured in from a broad-base of voices committed to eliminating the
digital divide — many who are also encouraging the Commission to move swiftly
to finalize and implement new rules before the end of 2020.
Support for the TVWS rulemaking includes voices for American
farmers and rural communities, teachers and education advocates, advocates for
telehealth and health care innovation, advocates for broadband connectivity and
spectrum innovation, voices for small business and American consumers, as well
as members of Congress, leading American innovators and industries impacted by
the digital divide.
Here are what advocates for agricultural producers,
farmers and rural communities are saying:
American
Farm Bureau Federation:
Rural broadband is essential to modern agriculture, the
farmers and ranchers who grow our food and the quality of life for rural
Americans. This is an important step in bridging the digital divide. (Twitter,
2/28/20)
Midwest
Food Products Association:
“We commend Chairman Pai and the FCC for adopting the TV
white space rule-making notice to support broadband innovation. Food
manufacturers in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois employ many people in rural
markets. However, global economic forces and technological advances have
resulted in changes to manufacturing that have disproportionately affected
rural areas in these states. Swift finalization and implementation of these
rules will greatly aid these communities.”(Midwest Food Products
Association, Food Manufacturers Commend FCC Action to Expand Connectivity for
Rural Americans, 2/28/20)
We commend Chairman @AjitPaiFCC and the @FCC for voting
today to clear regulatory barriers to TV white space technology as a key tool
to help eliminate the #digitaldivide. We encourage the Commission to finalize
and enact these new rules in 2020. (Twitter, 2/28/20)
Here are what education advocates and teachers are
saying:
Consortium
For School Networking (CoSN):
Policies that support broadband innovation & maximize
resources to bridge the #digitaldivide are critical to America’s rural
communities. We applaud @AjitPaiFCC & @FCC for leading to clear regulatory
hurdles to TV white space. docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-362748A1.pdf
@keithkrueger @s_bearden (Twitter, 2/28/20)
National Rural
Education Association:
BREAKING NEWS: The @FCC took a positive step today to reduce
costs and expand the scale of rural broadband deployments, which are critical
for the millions of rural Americans who are stuck behind the #digitaldivide.
#TVWS (Twitter, 2/28/20
Montana
Rural Education Association:
The @FCC voted today and adopted a rule-making procedure
that creates the potential to bring cost-effective hybrid network broadband
deployments in rural areas of Montana such as TV white space technology. (Twitter,
2/28/20)
Here are what advocates for telehealth and health care
innovation are saying:
American
Telemedicine Association:
#BreakingNews: Today the @FCC acted to enhance the pace
&cost-effectiveness of broadband deployments in #ruralamerica by addressing
regulatory barriers to #TVWS. We commend @AjitPaiFCC for supporting this
rulemaking and broadband innovation. #ruralhealth http://bit.ly/3cjpin2 (Twitter,
2/28/20)
It’s going to take innovation to close the #digitaldivide.
We applaud the @FCC and @AjitPaiFCC for adopting and encouraging use of
alternative methods to deliver connectivity to rural communities. (Twitter,
2/28/20)
Here are what advocates for rural broadband and spectrum
innovation are saying:
“We applaud Chairman Pai and the members of the Commission
for taking this important step to unleash the full potential of TV white space
technology as a critical tool to help bridge the digital divide,” Cullen said.
“Chairman Pai and the FCC should be commended for their leadership in
continuing to support broadband innovation and policies to maximize spectrum
resources to expand hybrid network deployments in rural areas.” (Connect
Americans Now, Connect Americans Now (CAN) Applauds FCC For Adoption of
Rulemaking to Help Bridge the Digital Divide, 2/28/20)
We commend @AjitPaiFCC and the @FCC for voting last week to clear
regulatory barriers to TV white space tech as a tool to help eliminate the
#digitaldivide. #ConnectedNation believes it takes innovative solutions like
these to connect all people. (Twitter, 3/02/20)
#GoodNews, today the @FCC proposed changes to the #TVWS
rules, this will improve broadband coverage that would benefit American
consumers in rural and underserved areas. (Twitter, 2/28/20)
Thanks to @FCC for adopting the Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking on TV white space technology today. Maximizing spectrum resources
will help improve #ruralbroadband, which is great news for all communities.
#broadbandforall #digitalopportunities (Twitter, 2/28/20)
Schools,
Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB):
“The SHLB Coalition is very pleased that the Commission
unanimously proposed new rule changes to increase the value of the TV White
Spaces spectrum. Anchor institutions need every tool in the digital toolbox to
close the homework gap and meet the broadband needs of their communities.”
(SHLB, SHLB Applauds FCC’s TV White Space Rulemaking, 2/28/20)
Spectrum is a finite resource and it’s critical we use
innovative policies, technologies and approaches to get the most out of our
airwaves… Today, the FCC took major steps forward in spectrum efficiency,
putting our unused TV airwaves… These forward-leaning approaches promise to
connect schools, farms, hospitals and homes in unconnected communities
nationwide. We commend the Commission for its work on these issues. (WiFi
Forward, WiFi Forward Statement on FCC’s Spectrum Efficiency Strategy, 2/28/20)
Here are what American innovators and voices in
technology are saying:
“Time and time again our members have expressed that they
want to build their companies outside of traditional tech hubs, but broadband
access remains a pain point. Today’s vote enables an efficient use of spectrum
and forward-looking investments that will have meaningful outcomes for our
small business members and the consumers they serve… Under the leadership of
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the Commission is making significant strides in realizing
a connected future for all Americans no matter where they live.” (ACT: The
App Association, ACT | The App Association Commends FCC on Vote in Support of
Greater Rural Broadband Deployment, 2/28/20)
Consumer
Technology Association:
“Today’s FCC decision proposing to leverage TV white spaces
for broadband access is a critical step toward ensuring connectivity for all
communities. This is an innovative solution supported in the Consumer
Technology Association’s latest best-selling book, Ninja Future: Secrets to
Success in the New World of Innovation. As I wrote in Ninja Future, ‘Opening
this spectrum for broadband use can bring the benefits and opportunities of
broadband to rural citizens.’ This cost-effective, reliable solution will help
innovation flourish in every corner of our country. I thank FCC Chairman Ajit
Pai for his dedicated work on this important issue.” (Consumer Technology
Association, CTA Applauds FCC Decision to Use TV White Spaces for Broadband
Access, 2/28/20)
Microsoft
President Brad Smith:
I’m pleased to see @AjitPaiFCC & @FCC adopting the
changes needed to TV White Space rules that will help close the digital divide
in rural America. #Airband (Twitter, 2/28/20)
Pelican
Institute for Public Policy:
The FCC just voted on two important proposals to connect
rural Louisianans to affordable broadband internet. Learn more about how 5G and
TV white space can close the digital divide in Louisiana! #lalege #lagov (Twitter,
2/28/20)
We applaud @ajitpaifcc and the @FCC for adopting a #TVWS
rulemaking procedure today that demonstrates a commitment to closing the
broadband gap in America #airband (Twitter, 2/28/20)
Here are what voices representing American small
businesses and consumers are saying:
This is a big step for rural #broadband consumers and market
competition. (Twitter, 2/28/20)
We commend Chairman @ajitpaifcc and the @FCC for adopting
the TV white space NPRM to support broadband innovation. Swift finalization and
implementation of these rules will help America’s farmers, students, patients
and communities. (Twitter, 2/28/20)
Small
Business & Entrepreneurship Council:
SBE Council & #smallbiz America commends @ajitpaifcc and
the @FCC’s dedication to eliminating the #digitaldivide. Today’s vote by the
@FCC will help clear regulatory barriers to broadband innovation and enhance
the pace and scale of #rural deployments for entrepreneurs! #airband (Twitter,
2/28/20)
Here are what members of Congress are saying:
Congressman
Morgan Griffith (VA-09):
TV white spaces offer promise for expanding affordable
broadband access in rural areas. I applaud the FCC’s commitment to bridging the
#digitaldivide by moving to update white space rules. (Twitter, 2/28/20)
Congressman
Denver Riggleman (VA-05):
TV white spaces are an important tool for expanding access
to broadband in rural areas. This change in the @FCC’s rules for White Space
devices will help people in #VA05 get the broadband access they need to compete
in the modern economy. (Twitter, 2/28/20)
Congressman
Brad Wenstrup (OH-02):
Rural Ohioans too often do not have adequate access to
broadband in their areas. Yesterday’s @FCC’s vote on TV white space technology
is a positive step toward delivering broadband solutions and bridging the
digital divide for those in rural Ohio. (Twitter, 2/29/20)
The post What They Are Saying: Broad-Base of Support for FCC Action to Support Rural Broadband Innovation, Help Bridge Digital Divide appeared first on Connect Americans Now.