DAY 2 6 WISPAMERICA SHOW I MARCH 24 - 27, 2025 www.bekabusinessmedia.com A new administration, a change in the FCC chair and a different approach to solving the nation’s issues have brought renewed optimism to the wireless internet service providers’ sector. “WISPA is encouraged by the new administration, Congress and agencies,” said Mike Wendy, WISPA’s Director of Communications. “The broadband marketplace is primed for further growth and our companies are well-positioned for that. Very exciting times lie ahead.” Prior to the start of this week’s WISPAMERICA 2025, Wendy answered a handful of questions that focused on what WISPA members can expect with the ongoing changes in the nation’s Capitol. “With the change of administration, it appears likely that we will see less overall regulation and a greater focus on helping operators/suppliers meet the needs of their diverse marketplaces quickly and cost-effectively,” Wendy said. “Congress has been very active already on spectrum matters and making sure that BEAD conforms to its tech-neutral design,” he continued, adding that newly appointed FCC Chair Brendan Carr is supportive of the industry and “is a true believer in keeping regulations to a minimum.” Wendy said Carr also is a “champion” of bringing more commercial spectrum to the market. “America needs more spectrum to grow and thrive and meet the demands of consumers,” Wendy explained. “Wireless broadband has been a major area of growth for the industry over the past couple of years. Charmian Carr has been key on identifying and bringing more wireless spectrum to commercial use. “As we have in the past, we will be working with the chairman and the other commissioners at the FCC to ensure a balanced approach to such allocations when they occur – one which provides unlicensed opportunities, and where auctions are employed, provides meaningful access to those opportunities for smaller players,” Wendy said. “It’s a multifaceted push,” he continued. “Congress and the DoD play an essential role in identifying new spectrum, too. This process has many spinning plates with a lot of stakeholders – including in industry standards bodies – and our efforts to help bring more spectrum to the marketplace, which can be safely shared with incumbents, are deep and ongoing.” In the meantime, over at the Commerce Department, Secretary Howard Lutnick and the team being assembled at the NTIA will be focused on priming the spectrum pipeline and getting BEAD back on track, Wendy said, acknowledging that every election brings some uncertainty. “That said, we are in the right offices and speaking to the right policymakers, where our message is being well-received – WISPs are being heard,” Wendy confirmed. “WISPA believes the industry is far better positioned than it has been in the past couple of years, and we look forward to the opportunities that will result from that.” Wendy’s positive view comes despite DOGE continuing to target governmental programs in search of reducing the federal budget by at least $2 trillion. Among programs the DOGE team is reviewing were some that were included in the 2021-22 Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Bill, which set up the Broadband Equity Access Development (BEAD) program. “BEAD will not be cancelled,” Wendy stated emphatically. “All indications appear that the program will be modified, focusing on cost-effectiveness and bringing broadband out quickly to those who are unserved. “Definitions broadening the scope of what is reliable broadband are likely to occur, too,” he continued. “The program is too far along, and both sides of the political aisle are eager to get those who are unserved quickly online with BEAD support.” Wendy said WISPA is “at the table” working to protect ISPs from needless overbuilding and reducing non-telecom policy and other hurdles that discourage some small companies from participating. “WISPs that have participated in the BEAD process – especially those going after grants – should continue their work with their state broadband offices to stay abreast of any new changes as this new landscape evolves,” he advised. Even as WISPA discusses BEAD with the new industry power brokers in Washington D.C., the association continues focusing on its State Advocacy program, where it also counts some big successes during the past couple of years. To access a list of accomplishments go here: https://host8.viethwebhosting.com/~wisp/docs/WISPA_Wins_for_ You_FINAL.pdf Changes in Washington or not, Wendy said WISPA expects its members to continue to do what they always have done: “Take advantage of opportunities in the marketplace and serve those “Equipment now has never been more powerful, or affordable to acquire and service,” Wendy said. “And the cost of money is moving downward. “We’re also expecting to see fewer, not more, regulations, helping WISPs focus on business instead of lawyers and costly administration,” he continued, concluding with, “By all indications, the broadband marketplace is primed for further growth and our companies are well-positioned for that. Very exciting times lie ahead.” J ‘Exciting Times’ Ahead for Broadband Growth “America needs more spectrum to grow and thrive and meet the demands of consumers,” Mike Wendy, WISPA’s Director of Communications.
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