The FCC’s Wireless Broadband Access Task Force Report overlooks o...

reality in rural America, NTCA said. Hailing the Task Force for seeing how wireless broadband could help rural America, NTCA nonetheless said the body’s report lacks specific recommendations for getting more licensed spectrum into small rural carriers’ hands. It’s hard for small providers to get licensed spectrum at auctions, and secondary markets aren’t effective, the group said. But by lessening some regulatory constraints “the FCC could make secondary markets a viable alternative for rural carriers.” Lack of access to licensed spectrum forces some members to use unlicensed spectrum to serve customers, NTCA said, calling that tack “far from an ideal solution” despite its low cost. NTCA urged a “keep what you use” approach to spectrum licensing, under which regulations would force large spectrum licensees to part with spectrum left unused after they have had sufficient time to build out the licensed territory. “Unless the FCC takes further steps to facilitate rural carriers’ efforts to gain access to licensed spectrum,” the wireless broadband’s promise for rural America “will remain largely unkept,” NTCA said. Separately, Microsoft called the report “an excellent statement of broadband wireless’ potential and the Commission policies that will encourage private industry to realize that potential,” but said in “one critical respect” the report didn’t go far enough. Before implementing the report, the FCC should “bring the distinction between low- [below 1 GHz] and high-frequency spectrum to the foreground by emphasizing that access to low-frequency spectrum is essential to the continued growth of the broadband wireless industry,” Microsoft said. Granting access to that spectrum would “remove a significant obstacle, lowering the cost of building wireless broadband networks by 50% or more.” Mobile Satellite Ventures urged the FCC to support the report recommendations and “foster hybrid satellite/terrestrial service… in encouraging the development of the high- speed communications and broadband market.” The task force report was released at the Commission Feb. meeting (CD Feb 11 p8). More comments were expected to be filed at our deadline.