Public Knowledge Applauds FCC Proposals On Broadcast "White Spaces," "E-Rate" Reform

Today's proposals represent real, concrete steps in fulfilling the promise of the National Broadband Plan. Voting final rules for the use of the broadcast white spaces will make much needed spectrum available for broadband. At a time when cell phone providers like AT&T are building Wi-Fi hot spots in places like Times Square to meet the demand created by the iPhone and other "smart" wireless devices, making use of empty television channels for 'wifi on steroids' will improve broadband access from the most crowded cities to rural America. The FCC's decision will also unleash millions of dollars in investment that will create new jobs and help American maintain its technology edge in wireless. The technology approved by the FCC that allows wireless broadband and broadcast television to work side by side without interference - sometimes referred to as "cognitive radio" - holds tremendous commercial potential for new products and services.

In a separate item, the FCC will proposed adding to the list of ways schools and libraries can bring broadband to their communities under the 'E-Rate' Program. Under the proposed change, communities would have new options to use this pre-existing public infrastructure as the backbone for affordable broadband access by making unused "dark fiber" eligible for E-Rate. E-Rate has already helped to make broadband available to millions of school children and adults by funding access in schools and libraries, making this extension of the program a logical next step in the national effort to make the benefits of broadband available to all Americans in every community and secure our children's digital future. We applaud FCC Chairman Genachowski for these important steps. In recent days, we have expressed concern that the FCC seems 'stuck in neutral' on critical issues of broadband policy. We take this as a hopeful sign the FCC is now prepared to step on the gas and move ahead at full speed to promote competition, deployment and consumer protection.