Wireless Interests Chase Rural Money

[Steve Mehs]

Wireless interests are closely eyeing $1.4 billion in new federal loan guarantees earmarked for improving rural broadband and telecommunications services, forming a Rural Broadband Task Force to see how they can take advantage of the new program.

The Wireless Communications Association and License Exempt Alliance said their task force's goal is industry education and government advocacy to help grow rural broadband. The Task Force said it will assist WCA and LEA members to meet government funding criteria for rural development programs.

Part of the effort will center on $1.4 billion in loan guarantees announced last week by the Agriculture Department to improve rural telecommunications, a program that will be administered within the Rural Utilities Service.

Apparently, lawmakers are noticing the wireless industry efforts. U.S. Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.), co-chair of the bipartisan House Wireless Internet Caucus, told WCA members in January he has legislation that aims to increase the amount of wireless broadband spectrum in use in the United States.

Satellite interests also are interested in the rural broadband/telecommunications loan guarantees. After the program announcement last week, National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative CEO Bob Phillips said he believes satellite broadband will play a critical role in getting better telecommunications into rural areas.

From SkyReport (http://www.skyreport.com/skyreport/feb2003/020503.shtm#one) (Used with Permission)

[inspect]

I know of at least one company who may be taking advantage of that federal program: www.digitalpath.net is marching, as we speak, through our little rural corner of the earth where for years we thought we had landed on Mars or another planet due to the lack of any 'big city' internet options. Soon I and others will get to experience this "wireless broadband" and, I hope, forever leave behind dial up.
Much of our surrounding areas have or will have this service. But, not all. It seems that these >relay< antenna's have a maximum reach of 1/2 mile before another antenna must be installed. If there is not enough interest from your neighbor's you may not receive this service if you are outside of that last antenna's range.
We shall see.

[Jacob S]

People will either have to bring it upon themselves to get repeaters up in small populated areas where there may not be interest in the service or find repeaters that can travel a longer distance and the higher populated services would make up for it. I am wanting to start up something like this where I live due to the lack of high speed internet access between two populated towns.

If enough people could get together it could be possible. I live in a small community and there are a number of houses around and some trailer parks and some businesses (including a multi-million oil pipeline business down the road along with a tractor trailer business - both using internet access and computers - I know the owners or high ups personally so I may be able to get them to take the service if it proves to be reliable, affordable, and fast). I seen where the price of the hardware can be pricey though so this would deter most from getting this.