More than 20 public interest, civil rights and media reform groups, including Creative Voices, jointly urged members of the Senate Commerce Committee to promote wireless broadband deployment in any digital television (DTV) transition legislation. The groups asked the Senators to free up more unlicensed spectrum that can then be used to cheaply deploy wireless broadband across America, providing needed competition to high-priced and monopolistic cable and telco broadband.
The letter states that while the groups may have different priorities for the DTV transition overall, "on one crucial element of the bill, we speak with one voice: DTV legislation must expand availability of unlicensed spectrum to promote affordable broadband access."
The groups urge Congress to both "set aside portions of the digital broadcast band for unlicensed use and direct the FCC to complete its stalled rulemaking to open unassigned TV channels in each market (TV band "white space") for unlicensed wireless broadband services."
The letter notes that expanding access to unlicensed spectrum would confer benefits on consumers, small businesses and low-income families. It concludes by noting that "the DTV transition represents an historic opportunity to maximize efficient use of public resources to meet public needs."
Promote Broadband, Groups Tell Senators
