POWELL APPOINTS WIRELESS ISP TASK FORCE
FCC Chmn. Powell announced Wed. a Wireless Broadband Access Task Force, modeled on the spectrum policy task force. The FCC also formally sought public comment on such issues as how wireless broadband networks can increase competition in rural America and how regulation should be changed to spur development of wireless ISPs (WISPs).
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The task force will be smaller in staff and other resources than the spectrum task force but will issue a similar report by the end of Oct. and also make recommendations, one senior FCC official said. The task force is to encourage more rural areas to develop their own wireless networks, and will look at licensed, unlicensed and mobile uses.
The spectrum task force provided a good model for the FCC to follow on WISPs, attorney Scott Harris said. “Even before today’s announcement, this Commission has made it clear it wants to take steps to encourage the creation of broadband networks,” Harris said. “Wireless networks are going to be the next broadband infrastructure.” Said Grant Seiffert, TIA vp-external affairs & global policy: “We're happy to see these kinds of announcements come out of the FCC trying to promulgate broadband connections. It benefits consumers. It benefits innovation. It benefits our equipment suppliers.”
“This Commission has put a high priority on making sure Americans have access to broadband services through multiple facilities-based platforms,” Powell said in a statement. “I have asked this task force to study existing wireless broadband polices and make recommendations for possible improvements to promote the growth of both licensed and unlicensed wireless broadband services.”
A task force shouldn’t be a substitute for action from the Commission, a former agency head said. “It’s frustrating,” the official said: “I'd rather see action than talk. We keep going back to discussions. There are more actions the Commission can take.”
Among questions the FCC posed the task force: (1) Do WISPs have enough spectrum available to offer broadband services? (2) To what extent are both licensed and unlicensed wireless broadband networks already providing an alternative platform to other broadband services? (3) Wireless offers some advantages over broadband alternatives, but “do the Commission’s rules effectively provide for or account for these capabilities? Could these rules be more flexible? If so, how?” (4) What kinds of applications are likely to be offered? Are they similar to the wired Internet or “are other, more personalized, niche applications being developed?”
FCC is asking for comments by June 3, replies July 1. Co-directors of the task force are Lauren Van Wazer of the Office of Engineering & Technology and John Branscome of the Wireless Bureau.