powers business efficiencies, connects local communities, provides students with educational resources and opportunities, and much more.” Before BEAD, Furlow points out, 14.5 million Americans lack internet access in communities nationwide. Because the broadband connection disparity often is a result of geography – urban vs. rural – and the high costs to build broadband networks in remote, rural areas of the country, it’s a good bet that wireless internet service providers (WISPs) stand to flourish with BEAD. Because of this, we turned to the Wireless Service Providers Association (WISPA) and a couple of its members to learn more. Apparently, the expectations may be greater than what can be accomplished. “The way the NTIA has set up the deployment program greatly challenges the assertion by policymakers that the digital divide will be solved, once-andfor-all, with this program,” said Mike Wendy, WISPA director of communications. “Running contrary to Congress’ intent, BEAD is non-tech neutral, favoring fiber over other transmission technologies.” What’s more, Wendy explained that states can only use BEAD support for “reliable broadband service” – e.g., fiber, coax, DSL, licensed wireless and hybrid licensed/unlicensed wireless – meaning that locations where broadband is available by unlicensed spectrum only will be deemed “unserved” and thus subject to overbuilding, no matter what speed one provides through it. He said organizations providing service only through unlicensed spectrum – such as in the 2.4, 5, (soonto-be) 6 and 60GHz bands – have not been permitted to apply to help states deploy networks with purely unlicensed transmission. “Further, even if they do decide to bid fiber or other ‘reliable broadband’ transmission technologies for state BEAD projects, other requirements, such as letters of credit, 25 percent matching funds, Davis-Bacon and prevailing wage preferences will limit small player access to the process,” Wendy said. He added, “The upshot of this is all players will not be able to participate at the table, greatly limiting the flexibility states have and the dollars they have to spend on bringing service to the unserved. “We believe that by ignoring Congress’ tech-neutral intent, BEAD’s tech-biased, fiber focus will waste limited taxpayer dollars – made even more smaller by today’s significant economic headwinds and supply chain shortages – perpetuating, not eliminating, the digital divide,” Wendy said. “At the very least, it will delay the rollout of broadband to those who do not have it now for years. Unlicensed fixed wireless can accomplish cost-effective buildouts in weeks, not years. Essentially ‘benching’ these providers simply makes no sense,” he added. Show Me the Money How much and whether WISPs receive any of the BEAD dollars will depend on the FCC’s mapping, Wendy said, because the maps will show how many unserved and underserved locations there are in America – which could reach 25 million locations or more. “That noted, with purely unlicensed wireless not being counted as a served area for BEAD (25/3 or greater), millions of locations that are served by unlicensed wireless providers could be up for grabs,” he said. “So, this could be billions of dollars.” WISPA has encouraged its members to participate and complete the FCC mapping process, to ensure the federal agency recognizes them. “Not only is this the law, but it can provide protection, particularly if they use licensed spectrum – such as CBRS GAA (which has been recently determined by the FCC to be licensed) – to deliver broadband to their communities,” Wendy said. When the FCC releases the maps, Wendy said WISPA members should avail themselves of the challenge process to protect their service areas. “They need to get active with their states’ broadband leadership offices, which will be applying to the NTIA for BEAD grants,” Wendy said. “So, they should identify who are the decision-makers and get in there. Advocate. Work with the process, not against it.” He added that WISPA members may want to reach out to Steve Schwerbel (sschwerbel@wispa.org), who runs the association’s state program. Wendy also said WISPA members should be open to bid on BEAD projects that are “reliable broadband,” pointing out, “this could be fiber, but it could also be something less.” o Map displaying Census tracts where median internet speeds show fixed broadband below 25/3 Mbps, according to Ookla data; courtesy NTIA. MOBILE & WIRELESS 50 CHANNELV ISION | JULY - AUGUST 2022
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