U.S. Congress: Plan would widen rural areas' access to high-speed service

By Paul Davidson, USA TODAY
Posted 3/13/2006 9:36 PM Updated 3/13/2006 9:37 PM

A proposal to allow wireless broadband providers to use vacant frequencies between TV channels is gaining support in Congress, a development that could deliver high-speed access to underserved rural areas.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has not acted on the vacant frequencies matter.
By Paul Sakuma, AP File

Two recently introduced Senate bills would require the Federal Communications Commission to issue rules to accommodate the unlicensed services within six months. The measures, which are garnering bipartisan support, are likely to be discussed at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Tuesday.

Yet, they're opposed by TV broadcasters that fear the services would disrupt the nation's transition to digital television.

A bill by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, tries to ensure that broadcasters are protected from interference. A similar bill by Sen. George Allen, R-Va., is co-sponsored by Sens. John Sununu, R-N.H., John Kerry, D-Mass., and Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., plans a similar measure in the House. The bills could be added to telecom reform this year.

Thousands of providers use antennas and free, unlicensed spectrum to deliver broadband to sparsely populated rural regions that would be too costly to serve with wires.

But gearmakers such as Intel are drooling at the prospect of using TV airwaves, which are in low-frequency bands that allow signals to travel farther and to better penetrate buildings and foliage. That means networks could be built with fewer antennas at a fraction of what systems cost now. Lower expenses could entice wireless providers to expand service.

"It would allow broadband services in many rural areas," says Margie Dickman, senior attorney, Intel government affairs.

At the end of last year, 24% of adult rural Americans used broadband at home, vs. 39% of those in urban and suburban areas, says the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

In 2004, the FCC under then-chairman Michael Powell proposed that wireless services be permitted to operate in the TV band as long as they don't disrupt TV stations. But current Chairman Kevin Martin has not acted on the matter out of concerns that the services would disrupt broadcasters as they shuffle channels in the switch to digital. By Feb. 17, 2009, broadcasters must return their analog channels to the government.

"Our concern is that we don't have people go home (on Feb. 18, 2009), turn on the TV and it not work because somebody turned on a wireless unlicensed device," says Dennis Wharton, spokesman for the National Association of Broadcasters.

But Intel's Peter Pitsch says wireless providers would use smart transmitters that steer clear of channels used by TV stations and reduce their power when necessary.


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