IMC super rural access problem

Urgent help needed to deliver indymedia via wireless service to isolated rural users. The FCC is considering reopening docket #04-151 which would likely result in corporate take-over of the remaining public wireless frequencies needed to bring wireless services to isolated rural users. Comments are still being accepted. <!--break--> Those of us super isolated in rural America are dependent upon access to the independent media centers through the facilities of extended wireless services as proposed via FCC docket 04-151. The FCC is to be commended for their work and support in bringing this proposal to it’s present state and should be encouraged to resist reopening docket 04-151 which would likely result in a takeover by big corporate providers. This plan will provide access to those of us in rural America who have no access at present. If this new frequency spectrum, 3650-3700 Mhz is turned over to the corporate interests, they are bound to make their choices based on profits while we remain in need of access to independent media. Retaining a portion of wireless service for public use is an important cause needing immediate support as the FCC is considering reopening docket 04-151. If it is reopened, there is a significant chance that this new frequency spectrum, proposed to be put under the control of the public, will now be auctioned to the highest bidder as has been the rest of this public resource. Please e-mail the FCC today via the link below providing easy e-mail instructions to include your comments. Please be sure to file as “late comment” and include in your comment: “Do not reopen docket number 04-151 which would open the door to corporate takeover of previously FCC agreed to rural wireless plan for this available spectrum.” http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi More detailed information below. ============= Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2005 09:42:45 -0400 (EDT) From: Stephen Ronan <sronan@panix.com> As you may know, back in March, the FCC made an an innovative and helpful decision to open up a new band of spectrum for community wireless folks and others to use: the 3650 to 3700 MHz band. The plan was for there to be an unlimited number of licensees throughout the country, with an easy online application process, no eligibility restrictions to speak of, and with all licensees having a mutual obligation to cooperate and avoid harmful interference to each other. That band is currently used for Fixed Satellite Stations and they would continue to use it in and near their facilities which are mostly on the East and West Coasts, and exclusion zones around those facilities would prevent much of any usage nearby. For that reason, some coastal cities, such as New York, Philadelphia and the Bay Area would not benefit much if at all from the new rules, but the great majority of the geographic area of the country including rural areas would benefit and many major metropolitan areas such as Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Oklahoma CIty, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Tucson. A map on page 66 of the FCC's Order clarifies the areas that are outside of the FSS exclusion areas. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-56A1.pdf The power limits and other aspects of that FCC decision would make it much easier for free and low-cost networks to be deployed that could reach greater distances, with radio signals carrying broadband Internet access through walls and ceilings and other obstacles more effectively than low-power WiFi devices. More detail here: http://makeashorterlink.com/?N13563D8B Unfortunately, after the decision was issued, there was a time period for those opposing the decision to file a Request for Reconsideration and nine parties have done so including some, such as Intel and Motorola, who are asking for there to be severe restrictions on who can use the spectrum. Rather than opening it up for anyone to use, Motorola is requesting that the 50 MHz of spectrum be divided into two 25 MHz blocks with each auctioned off to the highest bidder. Intel and a couple of others signed another petition calling for all that spectrum also to be divided among two exclusive licensees in most major metropolitan areas such as the ones listed in the first paragraph above. And the Wireless Communications Association called for half the 50 MHz of spectrum to be made available to just one exclusive licensee in each rural and urban area that isn't already excluded by the presence of Fixed Satellite Stations. The filing of the Petitions for Reconsideration and their availability for review was published in the Federal Register last week, setting off a fifteen day period for opposition to the Petitions for Reconsideration to be filed. Those comments are due by August 11 (there still may be an opportunity to file comments "ex parte" after that but it's better for them to arrive before the deadline if possible). I hope those of you in the U.S. will consider filing at least a brief comment thanking the FCC for their original decision to open up the spectrum for nonprofit community groups and all others to share while committing to not interfere with each other's networks, and in your comment opposing the attempt to instead have much or all of the spectrum auctioned off to the highest bidder. You can review previous comments that have been filed, including the Petitions for Reconsideration at the FCC web site by entering 04-151 in the search bar in the top left corner at www.fcc.gov. See how easy it is to file a comment... just enter 04-151 in the proceeding number here: <http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi> complete the brief form, selecting Reply to Petition for Reconsideration in the drop down box at the bottom, and then either upload your comment or type it into the text entry box... Just a couple of paragraphs identifying your and/or your organization's interest in equitable access to technology, thanking the FCC for opening up the spectrum for uses that can bridge the digital divide, and then opposing the idea that the rights to the spectrum would instead be auctioned to the highest bidder would be a huge help.             - Steve Ronan

<p>Urgent help needed to deliver indymedia via wireless service to isolated rural users. The FCC is considering reopening docket #04-151 which would likely result in corporate take-over of the remaining public wireless frequencies needed to bring wireless services to isolated rural users. Comments are still being accepted.</p> <!--break--><p> Those of us super isolated in rural America are dependent upon access to the independent media centers through the facilities of extended wireless services as proposed via FCC docket 04-151. The FCC is to be commended for their work and support in bringing this proposal to it’s present state and should be encouraged to resist reopening docket 04-151 which would likely result in a takeover by big corporate providers.<br /> This plan will provide access to those of us in rural America who have no access at present. If this new frequency spectrum, 3650-3700 Mhz is turned over to the corporate interests, they are bound to make their choices based on profits while we remain in need of access to independent media.<br /> Retaining a portion of wireless service for public use is an important cause needing immediate support as the FCC is considering reopening docket 04-151. If it is reopened, there is a significant chance that this new frequency spectrum, proposed to be put under the control of the public, will now be auctioned to the highest bidder as has been the rest of this public resource.<br /> Please e-mail the FCC today via the link below providing easy e-mail instructions to include your comments. Please be sure to file as “late comment” and include in your comment: “Do not reopen docket number 04-151 which would open the door to corporate takeover of previously FCC agreed to rural wireless plan for this available spectrum.”<br /> <a href="http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi">http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi</a></p> <p>More detailed information below.</p> <p>=============</p> <p>Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2005 09:42:45 -0400 (EDT)<br /> From: Stephen Ronan <sronan></sronan></p> <p>As you may know, back in March, the FCC made an an innovative and<br /> helpful decision to open up a new band of spectrum for community<br /> wireless folks and others to use: the 3650 to 3700 MHz band. The<br /> plan was for there to be an unlimited number of licensees<br /> throughout the country, with an easy online application process,<br /> no eligibility restrictions to speak of, and with all licensees<br /> having a mutual obligation to cooperate and avoid harmful<br /> interference to each other. That band is currently used for Fixed<br /> Satellite Stations and they would continue to use it in and near<br /> their facilities which are mostly on the East and West Coasts,<br /> and exclusion zones around those facilities would prevent much of<br /> any usage nearby. For that reason, some coastal cities, such as<br /> New York, Philadelphia and the Bay Area would not benefit much if<br /> at all from the new rules, but the great majority of the<br /> geographic area of the country including rural areas would<br /> benefit and many major metropolitan areas such as Albuquerque,<br /> Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit,<br /> Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Oklahoma<br /> CIty, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Tucson.</p> <p>A map on page 66 of the FCC's Order clarifies the areas that are<br /> outside of the FSS exclusion areas.</p> <p><a href="http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-56A1.pdf">http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-56A1.pdf</a></p> <p>The power limits and other aspects of that FCC decision would<br /> make it much easier for free and low-cost networks to be deployed<br /> that could reach greater distances, with radio signals carrying<br /> broadband Internet access through walls and ceilings and other<br /> obstacles more effectively than low-power WiFi devices. More<br /> detail here:</p> <p><a href="http://makeashorterlink.com/?N13563D8B">http://makeashorterlink.com/?N13563D8B</a></p> <p>Unfortunately, after the decision was issued, there was a time<br /> period for those opposing the decision to file a Request for<br /> Reconsideration and nine parties have done so including some,<br /> such as Intel and Motorola, who are asking for there to be severe<br /> restrictions on who can use the spectrum. Rather than opening it<br /> up for anyone to use, Motorola is requesting that the 50 MHz of<br /> spectrum be divided into two 25 MHz blocks with each auctioned<br /> off to the highest bidder. Intel and a couple of others signed<br /> another petition calling for all that spectrum also to be divided<br /> among two exclusive licensees in most major metropolitan areas<br /> such as the ones listed in the first paragraph above. And the<br /> Wireless Communications Association called for half the 50 MHz of<br /> spectrum to be made available to just one exclusive licensee in<br /> each rural and urban area that isn't already excluded by the<br /> presence of Fixed Satellite Stations.</p> <p>The filing of the Petitions for Reconsideration and their<br /> availability for review was published in the Federal Register<br /> last week, setting off a fifteen day period for opposition to the<br /> Petitions for Reconsideration to be filed. Those comments are due<br /> by August 11 (there still may be an opportunity to file comments<br /> "ex parte" after that but it's better for them to arrive before<br /> the deadline if possible).</p> <p>I hope those of you in the U.S. will consider filing at least a<br /> brief comment thanking the FCC for their original decision to<br /> open up the spectrum for nonprofit community groups and all<br /> others to share while committing to not interfere with each<br /> other's networks, and in your comment opposing the attempt to<br /> instead have much or all of the spectrum auctioned off to the<br /> highest bidder.</p> <p>You can review previous comments that have been filed, including<br /> the Petitions for Reconsideration at the FCC web site by entering<br /> 04-151 in the search bar in the top left corner at <a href="http://www.fcc.gov">www.fcc.gov</a>.</p> <p>See how easy it is to file a comment...<br /> just enter 04-151 in the proceeding number here:</p> <p><http:></http:></p> <p>complete the brief form, selecting Reply to Petition for<br /> Reconsideration in the drop down box at the bottom, and then<br /> either upload your comment or type it into the text entry box...</p> <p>Just a couple of paragraphs identifying your and/or your<br /> organization's interest in equitable access to technology,<br /> thanking the FCC for opening up the spectrum for uses that can<br /> bridge the digital divide, and then opposing the idea that the<br /> rights to the spectrum would instead be auctioned to the highest<br /> bidder would be a huge help.</p> <p>            - Steve Ronan</p>