WISPA concerned the Commission may be
overlooking the opportunity to speed broadband deployment by leveling the
playing field between current USF recipients (primarily telephone companies)
and the innovative and entrepreneurial fixed wireless broadband providers who
have demonstrated the ability to quickly and cost-effectively provide broadband
service to unserved and underserved areas without the use of government
subsidies.
According to WISPA, USF or Connect
America Fund (CAF) subsidies may be used to compete against existing broadband
service providers. Using government subsidies to compete against existing
privately-funded broadband providers could put many private-sector broadband
providers out of business and destroy thousands of local jobs.
WISPA looks forward to continuing to work
with the FCC to assure that the new CAF regulations support existing
privately-funded broadband providers as they continue to cost-effectively bring
fixed broadband service to the millions of Americans who would otherwise have
no broadband service at home.
By Telecomlead.com Team