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Press Release
October 20, 2020
Contact: Jon Conradi
[email protected]

Companies and Organizations Including ADM, BASF, Corteva, National Cattlemen’s Beef, National Cotton Council, National Grange, National Veteran Small Business Coalition, SHLB and USA Rice Urge Commission to Adopt Updated TVWS Rules to Expand Broadband Connectivity

Washington, D.C. – Connect Americans Now (CAN) filed comments Tuesday with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), co-signed by 41 companies and organizations, in support of a Report and Order to update rules regarding TV white space (TVWS) technology — a critical solution that can help expand the pace, scale and cost-effectiveness of hybrid-network broadband deployments. The full Commission will vote on the Report and Order, introduced earlier this month by Chairman Pai, on October 27.

“We commend the members of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for your shared commitment to expanding broadband connectivity in unserved and underserved communities, particularly by maximizing spectrum resources and clearing regulatory barriers to innovation,” the comment letter states. “We write to endorse the Commission’s draft Report and Order regarding Unlicensed White Space Device Operations in the Television Bands. We support the adoption of this order during the Commission’s next open meeting on October 27, 2020, along with adjustments to further enhance the benefit of white space technology (TVWS) as a tool to help bridge the digital divide and support IoT and precision agriculture innovation.”

“…For the millions of Americans who lack access to a broadband connection, the pandemic has exacerbated the many challenges associated with the digital divide and made more urgent solutions to maximize the potential of every tool at the nation’s disposal, including TVWS,” the letter continues. “That is why Connect Americans Now (CAN), and the 41 organizations co-signed on this letter, welcome the Commission’s leadership to clear regulatory barriers to TVWS and strongly encourage the adoption of the draft Report that will help reduce costs and increase the reach of hybrid network broadband deployments.”

Read the full comment letter HERE.

Full list of co-signers on the CAN comment letter:

National Companies, Organizations

Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM)

BASF

BroadbandNow

Connected Nation

Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)

Corteva

Digital Wish

Gigabit Libraries Network

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

National Cotton Council

National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry

National Rural Education Association

National Veteran Small Business Coalition

Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB)

USA Rice Federation

Regional/State Companies, Organizations

AllGo

California Farm Bureau Federation

Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce

Eastern Oregon Telecom

Economic Development Association of North Dakota

Mississippi Restaurant and Hospitality Association

Montana Rural Education Association

Nevada Farm Bureau

North Clackamas Chamber of Commerce

Northern Wasco County PUD

Oregon Association of Nurseries

Oregon Hop Growers Association

Oregon Dairy Farmers Association

Oregon Economic Development Association

Oregon State Chamber of Commerce

Oregon State Grange

Technology Association of Oregon

Teleco Systems

Telehealth Alliance of Oregon

Tillamook Bay Community College

Thomas County Economic Development Association

Washington Farm Bureau Federation

Wisconsin Corn Growers

Wisconsin Independent Businesses

Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance (WiRSA)

Wisconsin Technology Council

Connect Americans Now is a coalition of leading innovators, broadband and spectrum advocates, champions for rural communities, voices in agriculture, telehealth organizations, education and veterans’ groups and more, committed to completely eliminating the digital divide in America.

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