WISPAPALOOZA 2019 Show Daily Day 1

www. WISPA .org 2 9 www.bekabusinessmedia.com DAY 1 WISPA Welcomes Decision Upholding Key Aspects of ‘Restoring Internet Freedom Order’ T he October 1, decision marks another significant milestone in the long-running debate over the FCC’s open Internet rules.  WISPA has been closely following and engaging on this issue during the long-haul, working to make sure that any rules developed by the FCC both protect consumers while simul- taneously not over-burdening its membership with costly and counterproductive rules and regulations. WISPA filed a Joint Brief, along with ACA, CTIA, NCTA and USTelecom in support of the FCC’s 2018 Order.  Though WISPA’s regulatory brain trust is still reviewing the D.C. Circuit’s decision, the asso- ciation welcomed the outcome. “The onerous Title II rules, which the FCC adopted in 2015, presented a significant obstacle to deployment for our members, the overwhelming majority of whom are small ISPs serving underserved rural communities” said Claude Aiken, president and CEO of WISPA on word of the court’s decision. “The FCC’s 2018 Restoring Internet Freedom Order (RIFO) for the most part represents the right approach to these matters – one which keeps inapt, utility regulation away from the Internet, and in doing so, promotes ubiquitous broadband deploy- ment via the light-touch regulatory regime WISPA has favored.”  Pole access also is impacted by this deci- sion. WISPA members are not traditional common carriers or cable operators, and, with the Court’s upholding of RIFO which repeals reclassification, that means members cannot access poles via the Communications Act.  “We urge Congress and the Commission to address this in a manner which brings all communications players to the table – not one which excludes the very entities bringing broad- band to America’s underserved rural communi- ties, such as WISPA’s members,” said Aiken. “Ultimately, WISPA stands ready to work with all stakeholders to build a bi-partisan congres- sional solution to internet openness – one that reasonably ensures consumer protection, anti- discrimination, robust competition and healthy broadband deployment to serve all Americans, no matter where they live.” m Get more from wireless. Voodoo After Hours Join CTIconnect Tuesday night at 9:00 p.m. in the Voodoo Lounge to celebrate CTIconnect’s winning of the “Cambium Distributor of the Year Award.” Stop by booth #435 to get your wristband.