Association E-Newsletter
May 1st, 2018 | Issue 6
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WISPA Event Updates
WISPAPALOOZA 2018
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ON CBRS, WISPA CONTINUES TO KEEP UP THE PRESSURE
By WISPA President Claude Aiken

Here’s an update on where we stand in our campaign to stop the FCC from taking away the pro-rural, pro-small, parts of the Citizens Broadband Radio Service band rules (CBRS, 3550-3700 MHz).

DC EVENT FOCUSED ON "SPECTRUM AS INFRASTRUCTURE" IN RURAL AMERICA
Livestreamed video of New America event in Washington, DC. Speakers included  WISPA President Claude Aiken and former WISPA board member Elizabeth Bowles, CEO of Little Rock-based Aristotle Inc. and chair of the FCC Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee (BDAC).

Spectrum As Infrastructure Event
Bad Idea
WISPA STATEMENT ON CTIA-CCA PROPOSAL IN THE CBRS BAND
The Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) and CTIA on April 20 submitted a proposal to the FCC to auction Priority Access Licenses (PAL) in the CBRS band based on Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in the top 306 Cellular Market Areas (CMAs) and county-based areas in the remaining 428 CMAs.
 
WISPA strongly objected to this proposal, issuing the following statement by WISPA President Claude Aiken to the media:

WISPA CRITICIZES AT&T AND T-MOBILE FOR “MISLEADING” STATEMENTS ON CBRS
On Monday, April 23, WISPA sent a letter to the FCC, criticizing AT&T and T-Mobile for their “erroneous and misleading” analyses submitted for the record in the CBRS spectrum proceeding.

FCC
Trina Coffey
WISPA’S TRINA COFFEY PROMOTED TO VICE PRESIDENT OF EVENTS & OPERATIONS
Washington, DC – Trina Coffey, the longest-serving and best-known staff member at the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA), has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Events and Operations, effective immediately.

NEW WISPA PRESIDENT CLAUDE AIKEN SETS OUT TO GET TO KNOW MEMBERS
"Visited All Points Broadband Friday in Loudon County VA. Great to see their take on WISP operations firsthand. Looking forward to visiting more members in the future!"

Claude Aiken at All Points Broadband
WISPA on CBRS
WISPA IS IN THE MIDST OF ITS MOST AGGRESSIVE ADVOCACY EFFORT EVER.
ICYMI: Recent News Clips
WISPs Renew Call For Use Of Census Tracts For 3.5 GHZ Band PALs
REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION - TR DAILY, APRIL 26, 2018

Representatives of wireless Internet service providers today renewed their call for the FCC to retain census tracts as the geographic area for licensing priority access licenses (PALs) in the 3.5 gigahertz band Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS), rather than using larger geographic areas favored by nationwide providers, CTIA, and the Competitive Carriers Association.

WISPA Disappointed In Efforts To ‘Shove Aside’ Rural Interests In CBRS Band

Responding to a mobile carrier industry proposal filed Friday in the Citizens Broadband Radio Services (CBRS) proceeding, the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) says it’s disappointed that efforts are continuing to “shove aside” the interests of rural America and turn the “Innovation Band” into a “same ol’ thing” band.

Trump Administration Teeing Up Spectrum Policy 'Strategy'

The Trump Administration is working on a spectrum policy framework, according to the Administration's chief telecom policy advisor.

Statement by WISPA President Claude Aiken: “We applaud the Trump Administration’s commitment to reviewing spectrum policy, and we look forward to working with NTIA Administrator Redl and others involved. It’s about time we re-examined the “mobile-first” and “incumbents-first” approaches of the past and started adopting policies that promote more flexible and shared use of spectrum. And opening up more spectrum for fixed wireless broadband is one of the single best steps that could be taken to close the urban-rural digital divide and foster more innovation and competition everywhere.”

WISPA Doesn’t Want CBRS Turned Into ‘Same ol’ Thing’ Band

Reaction to a compromise proposal for the Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS) licenses in the 3.5 GHz spectrum band offered by CTIA – The Wireless Association and the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) is mixed. Stakeholders wrestling over license size and length are running out of time to debate the issue because the Commission hopes to issue new rules governing the band this summer.

WISPA
WISPA is a 501.c6 advocacy organization that promotes the development, advancement, and unification of the wireless internet service provider industry.