Unleash Fixed Wireless Service in 12 GHz to Help Close the Digital Divide

Wireless Future Project Director Michael Calabrese co-authored an article published in Telecom Review Americas about why the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should act now to authorize high-powered two-way fixed wireless service in the 12.2-12.7 GHz band. Calabrese and his co-authors (Chip Pickering at INCOMPAS, Chris Lewis at Public Knowledge, and Andy Schwartzmann at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society) urge that this move would help close the U.S. digital divide by enabling internet service providers (ISPs) to bring innovative new broadband service to unserved and underserved Americans.

Over the last few years, policymakers came to the same conclusion that our industry and organizations have long understood – that for America to remain successful and maintain our global economic advantage, Americans need to be online and connected via high-speed broadband networks.  Robust internet service is critical to how we live, work, stay connected and play.

Unfortunately, there are Americans that remain on the wrong side of the digital divide and are unable to affordably access broadband at speeds that allow them to take advantage of our digital economy now and into the future. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a unique opportunity today to help close the digital divide by authorizing high-powered two-way fixed wireless service in the 12.2-12.7 GHz band (the lower 12 GHz band).