NTCA urged Sen. Burns (R-Mont.), who’s expected to become Communi...

from accessing wireless spectrum and urged him to schedule hearing on wireless issues. NTCA cited bill (S-2075) introduced in recently concluded session by Sen. Baucus (D-Mont.) that would give “teeth” to 1934 Communications Act rural mandate on wireless service. “An important part of a well-thought-out national spectrum management policy would be ensuring that rural Americans have access to advanced wireless-based services on an equitable basis with urban Americans,” NTCA letter said. “Rather than facilitating their access to wireless licenses, the FCC has established policies that for the most part impede rural carriers from accessing wireless spectrum.” NTCA said Baucus’s proposed Rural Electromagnetic Spectrum Access Act of 2002 (RESA) would have required FCC to make spectrum licenses covering rural service areas more readily available and accessible to entities that were committed to providing service to rural areas. “It is vital to address rural carriers’ access to spectrum in any legislation you may develop in the forthcoming Congress to address our national spectrum management policy,” letter said. NTCA urged Burns to include rural perspective on any spectrum panel. In audio conference sponsored by Communications Daily’s parent Warren Communications News (CD Dec 4 p1), Burns aide Mike Rawson said Burns was considering “hybrid” approach in spectrum reform. Rawson said Burns viewed auction model as “fundamentally broken” and was considering system that would require participants to prove effectiveness of business model before entering in system. He said idea was to prevent companies from having to invest massive amounts of capital into spectrum. Rawson said new system could raise funds based on percentage of gross revenue.