WISPs and schools take a fresh look at 2.5 GHz spectrum

It’s been just over a year since the Federal Communications Commission dropped the educational use requirement for the Educational Broadband Service (EBS) spectrum, saying most licensees weren’t deploying the spectrum for its intended use. Now, with thousands of students facing the possibility of another semester outside the classroom, schools that hold spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band are reconsidering its value. Schools are well-positioned to partner with wireless internet service providers (WISPs) to create private networks, because they already have fiber assets, internet points of presence and real estate.