[1st-mile-nm] Fwd: WISP CALL TO ACTION
Marianne Granoff
granoff at zianet.com
Fri Jul 15 21:03:02 PDT 2011
FYI
>Subject: [WISPA Announcements] WISP CALL TO ACTION
>Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 16:53:56 -0400
>From: Rick Harnish <mailto:rharnish at wispa.org><rharnish at wispa.org>
>To: <mailto:announcements at wispa.org><announcements at wispa.org>,
><mailto:users at wug.cc><users at wug.cc>,
><mailto:motorola at afmug.com><motorola at afmug.com>
>
>
>I am sending this out on behalf of the WISPA Team. Please read this
>in its entirety.
>
>WISPs and Interested Parties,
>
>Earlier this week the Majority staff (Republican) of the House
>Subcommittee on Communications & Technology released a 55-page
>discussion draft of legislation that would, if adopted, create
>serious problems for the future of unlicensed use and the WISP
>industry as we know it. Please read this entire email, but know
>that you are being asked to call and/or write your Representative
>NEXT WEEK to help save affordable fixed wireless broadband services
>for the constituents they serve. We have attached TALKING POINTS
>that you can use, but its important for you to have background and
>context so that you are well informed on how to present your case.
>
>BACKGROUND:
>As written, Section 104 of the draft Minority staff bill (beginning
>on page 25) would require all new unlicensed spectrum to be
>purchased through FCC auctions where prospective unlicensed bidders
>would compete with prospective licensed users. The unlicensed users
>would get the spectrum if the aggregate of their bids exceeded the
>high bid made by the prospective licensed user. In other words, if
>85 WISPs bid on spectrum at an auction and won, they would have to
>pay their bid, the spectrum would be unlicensed, and then ANYONE
>could use the spectrum for unlicensed, including free
>riders. Unlicensed use would be coordinated via
>database. Presumably, unlicensed users could include broadband
>devices, baby monitors, RFID tags and a whole host of consumer
>devices. Its not hard to see why this is a destructive model that
>would foreclose participation by WISPs in the process if they had to
>compete in a "telethon" auction with companies like AT&T and Verizon
>and then, if successful, have to coordinate the millions of devices
>that could operate in the band.
>
>Yesterday, in response, the Minority staff (Democrat) of the
>Subcommittee released a separate 130-page discussion draft bill that
>would, if adopted, be much, much better for WISPA members than the
>Republican version. The Minority staff draft would require the
>first 84 MHz of white space to be auctioned following re-packing of
>the TV broadcast stations, and would leave it to the FCC to
>determine whether to auction or not the remaining spectrum. Other
>than some specific bands that have been targeted for mobile
>interests, any remaining spectrum could be made available by either
>auction or as unlicensed, at the FCC's discretion. This is similar
>to S.911, the Senate spectrum reform bill (also known as the
>Rockefeller-Hutchison bill). Obviously, this is a much better
>approach -- still not a separate set-aside for unlicensed, but
>that's something we can try for at the FCC . . . and we
>will. Attached are copies of the two discussion drafts if you'd
>like to read the specific text and/or read other provisions of the
>drafts related to public safety, other spectrum bands, etc.
>
>Here is a link to a list of the full Committee
>members:
><http://energycommerce.house.gov/about/members.shtml>http://energycommerce.house.gov/about/members.shtml
>Here is a link to a list of the Subcommittee members, with contact
>information:
><http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/cgi-bin/newcommittee.cgi?site=congressmerge&lang=&commcode=hcommerce_tech>http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/cgi-bin/newcommittee.cgi?site=congressmerge&lang=&commcode=hcommerce_tech
>
>WISPA'S INVOLVEMENT:
>WISPA has been actively engaged in the process all week. On
>Wednesday morning, along with other members of the Wireless
>Innovation Alliance (WIA), I met with the Minority staff to exchange
>ideas and perspectives on the Majority version, in advance of the
>release of the Minority draft. It was emphasized to us that the
>Majority draft is focused almost entirely on short-term
>revenue-generation, not long-term benefits such as economic growth,
>small business support, job creation and all of the other benefits
>broadband can bring. Accordingly, our focus in dealing with
>Republicans discredits the revenue model (more later). At the
>meeting, I stressed the need for unlicensed spectrum and the need to
>eliminate auction costs as a significant barrier to entry. Later on
>Wednesday, I attended a WIA strategy session. Along with other
>members of the WIA coalition, WISPA is working to lobby other
>organizations, associations and companies to oppose the Majority
>draft. As I've said, there's something in there for everyone to
>hate, so opposition will be strong.
>
>Yesterday, WISPA sent a letter to each one of the Subcommittee
>members voicing strong opposition to the Majority discussion
>draft. This clearly states WISPA's reasons for opposing the
>bill. Note there is language challenging the revenue model and
>language addressing the public interest benefits of unlicensed
>spectrum -- something for both Republicans and Democrats to relate
>to. A copy of this letter is attached. WISPA also issued a press
>release highlighting these points.
>
>Unlike the other members of the WIA, which consists of Google,
>Microsoft, think tanks, public interest groups and other
>associations, WISPA can bring its vast membership of 500 WISPs,
>vendors and others to get the word out. That can be a tremendous
>benefit to our cause.
>
>HOUSE HEARING:
>This morning, the Subcommittee held hearings on the discussion
>drafts. Importantly, both parties stressed a desire to adopt a
>bipartisan bill that would capture the best elements of each. You
>will enjoy reading the attached testimony of Michael Calabrese of
>the New America Foundation, who spoke on behalf of WIA. This is a
>terrific statement that speaks about the benefits that unlicensed
>devices have brought to American society and the contributions that
>WISPA and WISPs are making as well. The testimony also discredits
>the economic model behind the licensed/unlicensed auction envisioned
>by Section 104 of the Majority draft. This is must reading for
>anyone wanting a deeper understanding of the issues and the ways to
>oppose the Majority position. WISPA provided Michael with some of
>the information used in his written testimony.
>
>HOW YOU CAN HELP:
>In addition to the attached documents, WISPA's Legislative Committee
>has developed a set of TALKING POINTS, which are attached. These
>are intended to be guidelines for discussions you will have or
>letters you will send to your Representative. Generally, you will
>want to introduce yourself and your company and then, depending on
>whether the Representative is a Republican of Democrat, make the
>relevant points. We ask that you do this NEXT WEEK (week of July
>18) to create maximum impact. As follow-up, schedule visits with
>your Representatives when they are back home for August recess
>(assuming that happens) -- maybe they'd like to tour your facilities.
>
>Once you've made your pitch, please post a message to the WISPA
>members list so that we can all learn from your
>experience. Developing contacts in your Representative's offices is
>not just a short-term plus, but will give you a base for future communications.
>
>WISPA will continue to work the issues and will keep you informed as
>this develops.
>
>FINALLY, A WORD OF THANKS:
>You, the members, should be proud of the leadership that your Board,
>the Legislative committee, FCC Committee and the Promotions
>Committee have demonstrated as we address this critical issue. Its
>now up to you to pick up the ball and carry forward the positive
>momentum we are building. We are in this, together, for the long
>haul, and your participation will never be more appreciated, and
>required, than it is now.
>
>Stephen E. Coran
>Rini Coran, PC
>1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
>Washington, D.C. 20036
>202.463.4310 - voice
>202.669.3288 - cell
>202.296.2014 - fax
><mailto:scoran at rinicoran.com>scoran at rinicoran.com - e-mail
><http://www.telecommediatechlaw.com/>www.telecommediatechlaw.com - blog
>@stevecoran - twitter
><http://www.rinicoran.com/>www.rinicoran.com
>www.telecommunicationslaw.com
>
>CONFIDENTIALITY NOTE: This e-mail and any attachments are
>confidential and may be protected by legal privilege. If you are
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>copies. Thank you for your cooperation.
>
>IRS CIRCULAR 230 DISCLOSURE: To ensure compliance with requirements
>imposed by the IRS, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained
>in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or
>written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i)
>avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii)
>promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any matter
>addressed herein.
>
>
>
>Respectfully,
>
>Rick Harnish
>Executive Director
>WISPA
>260-307-4000 cell
>866-317-2851 Option 2 WISPA Office
>Skype: rick.harnish.
><mailto:rharnish at wispa.org>rharnish at wispa.org
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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