PRESS RELEASE
December 19, 2019
Washington, D.C. – – Connect Americans Now (CAN) was joined by 18 organizations on a letter sent to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Thursday urging swift action to clear regulatory barriers to TV white space (TVWS) technology. The letter asks the Commission to issue a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) on an outstanding TVWS petition before the end of 2019 and to implement rule changes in 2020.
“The impacts that stem from the digital divide are myriad and effect almost every aspect of life,” the groups wrote. “To tackle this challenge, policymakers must support a mixed-technology approach that leverages every solution available to bring connectivity to unserved areas in the most effective and swift manner possible.”
CAN and the groups who signed the letter Thursday filed comments with the FCC in June supporting the FNPRM petition.
“That is why we joined a coalition called Connect Americans Now (CAN) on comments filed with the FCC, in June, urging the Commission to support a petition submitted by Microsoft for a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM),” the letter continues. “Using traditional technologies, like fiber, and more innovative solutions, like TV white space technology, will ensure that our rural communities are connected in the most affordable and reliable way.”
“We respectfully urge the Commission to issue the FNPRM on this petition before the end of 2019 and work swiftly to implement rule changes by the end of 2020,” the letter adds. “It is imperative that the FCC act as soon as possible to clear regulatory challenges to innovation that can more swiftly help eliminate the digital divide.”
The organizations who joined CAN on the letter sent Thursday include:
Read the full letter HERE.
Read CAN’s statement on the June comments filed in support of the FNPRM petition HERE.
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