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WISPAmerica 2017 SHOW
I
MARCH 14 - 16, 2017
WISPA events, both WISPAMERICA and WISPAPALOOZA,
continue to grow both in size and in the types of
companies exhibiting. What do you see as the primary
drivers to this growth trajectory?
AP:
The primary driver for the growth of our industry is the
growing demand for broadband Internet in Rural America.
Secondarily is the way WISPA helps its members meet this
demand. Members of WISPA gain knowledge not only on
technical and regulatory issues but also on basic business
“best practices.” We help our members to grow by providing
training on all aspects of running their businesses. As our
membership and members grow, so does WISPA.
What type of new and emerging services, which WISPs
will find on the WISPAMERICA show floor, excite you
the most in terms of revenue and business potential?
AP:
There are several that I am excited about. Point-to-
multipoint Gigabit wireless is one technology everyone
should keep an eye on, and several vendors at the show
can talk about their plans for this technology. Internet of
Things, network partnerships are also becoming a hot
topic, and given our members are throughout the U.S.,
partnerships with these new service companies may
become a very nice revenue stream for many. I am also
excited to see how the Billing and Customer Management
software vendors are really stepping up in our industry. I
remember the days of QuickBooks and Access databases,
and it's been a long process to where we are now; however
managing customers with advanced software is definitely in
the WISPAMERICA wheelhouse on the show floor.
What are some other ways the WISPAMERICA event
can help arm WISPA members in their battle to fend
off the attacks on their service areas by larger providers?
AP:
Attacks by larger providers come in many forms, from
suddenly adding many radios to an already tight spectrum to
the political side where smaller providers often are devalued to
legislative bodies and the FCC. Engineers at large companies
share the belief that failure to communicate and coordinate
frequencies is counterproductive to both parties, and WISPA
works to arm our members with the ability to find a workable
cohabitation of the valuable unlicensed spectrum. For a
second year, WISPAMERICA has Animal Farm at our show.
This strictly technical tract gives our members a real first-hand
and highly qualified source of knowledge that can give them
an edge in building and expanding their networks.
Moving to the broader industry, where do you see
optimism on the regulatory front in terms of working
with the new President Trump administration?
AP:
With any new administration, there will be opportunities
and challenges. I believe the new administration, along with
the FCC Chairman, recognize that a significant portion of
rural Internet is provided by small businesses and that FCC
regulations need to take into account the burden these rules
place on small ISPs. Early indications from the Chairman
are that the FCC will be reducing regulation overall and
exempting smaller providers from many of the more
burdensome reporting obligations.
Would you like to share any developments from your
recent sit-down with incoming FCC Chairman Ajit Pai?
AP:
This was a very exciting meeting for WISPA. We have been
waiting for years to be considered a “Stakeholder” in the larger
rural broadband industry at the FCC, and this was the first time
we have been recognized as such. This meeting was unlike
other meetings we have had in the past. Chairman Pai was not
there to lecture us but more there to listen to the group. There
was very good dialogue between the various representatives,
and the Chairman and I feel this dialogue will result in more
productive outcomes for our industry. At this stage I have
cautious optimism regarding the relationship going forward but
feel we have more input than we have had in the past.
What more can we expect to see from WISPA in 2017?
AP:
This April, WISPA will be adding a new event to our
efforts in DC – Fixed Wireless Technology Day. WISPA
leadership and several equipment manufacturers will be on
Capitol Hill to show members of Congress and their staff the
technology we use to deliver cost-effective broadband Internet
to Rural America. We have learned over the years that as
we educate our representatives in DC about the realities
of what our members are doing, they are more receptive to
understanding how regulation can affect our industry and
our ability to connect their constituents. Otherwise, in 2017,
we plan to make more headway with our regulators, gain
increased support from lawmakers and strengthen our existing
relationships with industry partners and other groups.
H
eading into WISPAMERICA 2017, WISPA and its members are riding a
wave of optimism in terms of technology opportunities, market growth,
business process improvements and their role as a key stakeholder in the
larger rural broadband industry. Alex Phillips, WISPA president and founder
of
HighSpeedLink.net, sat down to discuss these opportunities as presented at
WISPAMERICA, as well as the larger regulatory environment.
Welcome to WISPAMERICA
Alex Phillips
President, WISPA