Cincinnati, OH, March 19, 2019 – The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) is proud to convene WISPAMERICA ‘19, bringing together service providers, industry experts and leading suppliers in the fixed wireless Internet industry for three days of learning, networking and inspiration.  This year, the event lasts from March 19th thru the 21st at the Duke Energy Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Washington, DC, March 15, 2019 – The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) is encouraged by today’s FCC action, which creates a rulemaking to implement aspects of the MOBILE NOW Act.  Small rural providers – like our members, who provide fixed wireless broadband to millions of Americans – face a multitude of challenges in serving their communities. 

Washington, DC – The following statement may be attributed to Claude Aiken, president of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association), regarding a new White House report on rural broadband policy that was released today.

Washington, DC, March 12, 2019 – Approximately 24 million Americans – many living in rural communities – lack adequate broadband access.  Though hundreds of billions of dollars of private and public investment have flowed into U.S. networks since 2005, this stubborn rural gap remains.  WISPA is pleased that witnesses at today’s hearing, which included WISPA member Justin Forde of Midcontinent Communications based in Sioux Falls, SD, recognize the need for federal subsidies to help bridge this gap, for accurate mapping to determine where subsidies are allocated, and for government agencies to avoid subsidizing broadband overbuilds.  WISPA also appreciates witness statements acknowledging the importance of spectrum for quick and affordable broadband deployment in places where sparsely populated areas do not justify the investment in fiber.    

Washington, DC, March 6, 2019 - "Today the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a bill to reinstate the FCC’s repealed Title II Net Neutrality regulations.  WISPA is heartened by the fact that Congress has taken a renewed interest in this important matter, but we feel, as we did with the repealed regulations, that they fail to encourage the widespread deployment and adoption of Internet infrastructure, especially in under-served, rural areas of America. 

 In this capacity, Christina will lead the advocacy efforts of the association before Capitol Hill, and work to give voice on the Hill to WISPA’s 800 members regarding the policy challenges of delivering fixed wireless Internet services to nearly four million, mainly rural Americans.