US public policy and civil rights leaders pressed politicians to adopt spectrum rules which provide a level licensing playing field between small businesses and national service providers, and protect community access to essential Wi-Fi connectivity.
A group of 40 prominent organisations told members of the US Senate and House of Representatives equal access to spectrum licences would promote economic growth, become the foundation of a fresh wave of innovation in the nation and help ensure it remains a frontrunner in the wireless sector.
The group proposed politicians offer all companies a fair shot at spectrum licences, suggesting the scales are currently tipped too far in favour of large, national providers.
“More competition for spectrum will drive faster innovation, drive down prices for consumers and expand access to digital opportunity”, the group wrote in a letter to political leaders.
Wi-Fi need
One of the organisations involved is MANA: its president and CEO Amy Hinojosa told Mobile World Live the group also highlighted a need to continue offering unlicensed spectrum for Wi-Fi to enable it to “continue playing its critical role in connecting communities”.
In the letter, the groups explained unlicensed Wi-Fi is “the cornerstone of community connectivity” through hotspots covering public areas including schools, libraries and hospitals.
“Countless municipalities, non-profits and multi-family housing developments rely on Wi-Fi to connect the underserved and narrow America’s digital divide”, the group argued.
There was also a call for a spectrum policy which advances ubiquitous access to fast and reliable connectivity. This should span “all regions, neighbourhoods and communities”, access the organisations believe the first two principles will promote by letting “smaller, local providers fill rural and urban connectivity gaps” in national operators’ networks.
The group conceded there is “no one size fits all” approach to US spectrum decisions, but argued its core principles offer a “path forward towards real solutions that advance opportunity, protect affordability, and fuel economic mobility and growth”.