Watchdog Praises FCC for Taxpayer and Consumer Treats and No Tricks in Reaffirming Internet Open Order and Expanding White Spaces

For Immediate Release
October 27, 2020
Contact: Grace Morgan
(202-855-4380)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance praised the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for considering three issues related to the Restoring Internet Freedom (RIF) Order first passed in 2017 and the expanded use of white spaces during the October Open Meeting. The FCC discussed the RIF Order’s effect on public safety, on its ability to regulate pole attachments and on the Lifeline program’s ability to support broadband.  After the FCC passed the RIF Order, a consortium of Democratic attorneys general sued the commission in an attempt to reverse the decision. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the vast majority of the FCC’s decision, but asked the commission to consider the order’s effect on those three narrow issues.  The FCC also considered an order to make more precious electromagnetic spectrum available in what is known as television “white spaces” to provide additional wireless broadband coverage, while still protecting incumbent television broadcasters.  White space channels are largely untapped gaps in low-band spectrum below 700 MHz, often between the spectrums of television stations. The FCC made these channels available for unlicensed public use in 2010.

TPA President David Williams commended the FCC for ensuring that the RIF remain strong: “Since 2017, Chairman Pai has been committed to a light regulatory touch on the internet through the RIF Order. Broadband investment has skyrocketed and internet speeds have gotten faster, a win-win for consumers and taxpayers. By addressing public safety concerns, pole attachments regulations, and efficient use of the Lifeline program, the FCC has assured taxpayers and consumers that high speed broadband deployment can continue unabated with as little government interference as possible.”

Williams continued: “A key part of closing the digital divide is utilizing white spaces to connect households and communities. White space signals can travel much farther than a typical Wi-Fi signal – 750 meters and up for white spaces compared to 300 meters or less for Wi-Fi – and can better pass through buildings and other obstacles, leading some to refer to white spaces as ‘Super Wi-Fi.’ Because of that wide coverage area, white spaces have the potential to cover entire communities, likely connecting consumers who currently have little-to-no internet access. And because white spaces require much less infrastructure, the service can be provided more cheaply than other forms of internet. This could be particularly useful in rural communities where it’s cost prohibitive for providers to install fiber to reach the end of sparsely populated roads where there aren’t enough customers to pay back the investment.”

Williams concluded: “In what could have been a ghoulish October meeting, the FCC continues to provide treats as the they promote policies that will help close the digital divide and protect taxpayers.”

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