WISPs Seek Changes to NTIA Broadband Program Rules
Wireless ISPs urged NTIA to amend its definition of reliable broadband service unveiled last month for its broadband, equity, access and deployment program (see 2205130054) to allow for participation by WISPs. “It’s our view that the NTIA’s definition of Reliable…
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Broadband Service excludes ISPs who are already providing reliable and dependable internet access to so-called unserved rural and non-urban areas,” said a Thursday statement coordinated by Preseem, a cloud-based platform for smaller ISPs: “As such, we believe the NTIA’s definition is unfair and inaccurate, and should be amended.” New WISP Association President David Zumwalt also criticized the definition. “WISPs provide dependable, resilient, reliable broadband to millions of Americans across the country, and have long served and excelled on the front lines of bringing broadband to unserved areas,” he said: “NTIA should clarify its guidance so that the objectives of the BEAD program can be truly achieved, and States provided with the flexibility they need to bring broadband to the unserved.”