Bluffton, IN (PRWEB) May 05, 2014 -- Representatives of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA), a membership organization that promotes the development, advancement and unity of the wireless Internet service provider industry, met with Congressional and FCC leaders on April 29, April 30 and May 1, 2014 in Washington, D.C. to discuss issues affecting the fixed wireless broadband industry.
During the visit, over 20 representatives of the fixed wireless industry from around the country met with Members of Congress. WISPA representatives included five Board members and WISPA’s Washington Counsel. The delegation met with members on key committees including the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Delegates met with the office of Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR), Chair of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet as well as the office of the ranking member of that Committee, John Thune (R-SD) to discuss the importance of a balanced spectrum policy that includes usable unlicensed spectrum. In addition, delegates met with staff for Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo), who is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. The topics discussed included the FCC’s Rural Broadband Experiments, the Farm Bill’s Rural Gigabit Program, and the role of WISPs in delivering fixed broadband service to rural Americans.
“We had some very productive discussions with the Members and their staffs concerning spectrum and wireless infrastructure access, a level playing field for government subsidies, and modernization of the Communications Act to eliminate antiquated regulatory silos,” said Elizabeth Bowles, WISPA’s Legislative Committee Chair. “We succeeded in our goal of elevating the profile of Wireless Internet Service Providers and made strides in ensuring that our industry is given greater recognition in governmental programs, broadband policy and legislation.”
About WISPA
WISPA is a membership-driven trade association that promotes the development, advancement and unity of the wireless Internet service provider industry. WISPA has over 800 members that support WISPA’s advocacy, education and other collaborative industry initiatives. For more information, visit http://www.wispa.org.
Elizabeth Bowles, WISPA, http://www.wispa.org, 501.374.4638, [email protected]
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