Some Wireless Carriers' Decisions Threaten Rural Broadband Access

Roam on the Range: When Washington?s Moves Hit Rural Communities

By Robert Howden

It?s easy to forget sometimes that what happens thousands of miles away in Washington, DC, can and does impact the states and our rural communities.

An unfortunate and unexpected outcome of Washington policy surfaced in rural America this month when some wireless carriers announced they would move rural customers to roam for coverage on other carriers? networks instead of maintaining or building out their own wireless network.

With all the progress and promise of the National Broadband Plan in helping connect rural America with high-speed Internet and communications services, it would be a shame to see Washington and a Federal Communications Commission policy put rural communities on the back burner.

At issue is something called the Home Market Rule, some good public policy that said if a wireless carrier owned spectrum ? the lifeblood of wireless communications and broadband connectivity ? those carriers should build out the networks necessary to utilize that spectrum. Doing so would ensure more Texans and Americans could access faster servicer without having to ?roam? on other carrier?s networks or lose coverage completely.

While regulators in Washington considered eliminating the Home Market Rule a way to spur investment and network development, it appears the outcome quite the opposite.

Now, as some carriers look to take advantage of the FCC rule change, it raises real concerns about rural access and connectivity.

It now appears that the policy shift from the FCC gives wireless companies an opportunity to step away from rural markets and force rural residents to literally and figuratively ?roam on the range? of other providers? networks for their wireless and broadband service.

Given the goals of the National Broadband Plan, smart policy would look to encourage investment and deployment of broadband networks, not the reverse. The National Broadband Plan holds great promise for job creation and private investment, but those goals could be at risk if wireless carriers proceed with stepping back from rural investment.

Roam on the Range: To Learn More

THE DAILY CALLER (Jan. 25, 2012)
Sprint rural data roaming decision signals confirmation to conservatives critical of FCC data roaming rule

http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/25/sprint-rural-data-roaming-decision-signals-confirmation-to-conservatives-critical-of-fcc-data-roaming-rule/

Maximum Entropy (Jan. 26, 2012)
Roam, roam on the range. Will Washington?s new intrusions discourage wireless expansion?

http://www.bretswanson.com/index.php/2012/01/roam-roam-on-the-range-will-washingtons-new-intrusions-discourage-wireless-expansion/

Source: http://www.texasprogress.com/2012/02/13/some-wireless-carriers-decisions-threaten-rural-broadband-access/

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