FCC Wireless Broadband Workshop

On August 13, 2009, the Federal Communications Commission held a National Broadband Plan workshop focused on wireless technology. The workshop was divided into two panels. The first panel discussed the status of mobile wireless and the second addressed the opportunities and challenges of serving rural users. Everyone agreed that there is a continuing growth in demand for data services and a number of solutions are being worked on by the providers to try to meet expected demands. Several wireless carriers and their providers are focusing on building out current 3G networks with HSPA technologies with plans to evolve to LTE technologies. Others are moving rapidly to deploy WiMax for fixed and mobile applications. To try to maximize frequency reuse and increase capacity, the providers are also deploying smaller cell sites (eg. micro- pico- and femto- cells are being used more commonly). However, this also requires higher capacity back haul connections. All the panelists agreed that the back-haul ("middle mile") problem needs to be addressed. The availability of fiber connections to such sites limits how quickly the networks will evolve. The service providers in rural areas face the additional issues with getting cost-effective back-haul connections. It is necessary to develop innovative technological and regulatory solutions to address this critical issue. One other fundamental issue is that of obtaining more usable spectrum to address anticipated bandwidth demands. However, panelists varied in their requests and proposals and no one identified specific spectrum requirements.