| Non Profit ISP One of the under-reported stories is just how many folks still rely on dial-up. I run a nonprofit ISP in the rural mountains of North Carolina, and though we offer broadband wireless, 60-70 percent of the folks who want our service can't get it due to the line-of-sight limitations of the current unlicensed spectrum. As a result, they're stuck with dial-up.
However, the FCC has a rulemaking underway which would solve the rural broadband problem. The FCC could open up the vacant TV channels -- the so-called "white spaces" -- that come available next February when the TV broadcasters go digital. In many rural areas, the broadcasters will only be using about 30 percent of their spectrum allocation. This vacant spectrum is much more efficient, allowing our broadband signal to penetrate buildings and heavy foliage, and to bend around and over mountain ridges. Of course, the broadcasters want to warehouse this spectrum and monetize it down the road. So we have a fight on our hands.
»www.freepress.net/news/29184
My organization, the Mountain Area Information Network (MAIN), is leading a national effort to organize rural advocacy orgs to push for unlicensed access to these vacant TV channels. Currently, most of rural America is not aware of this potential solution to the rural broadband problem.
Meanwhile, any dial-up users who want to support this effort can do so by using our nationwide dial-up service called IndyLink.org. That way your Internet dollars can go to support a real solution to the rural broadband problem. As a 501(c)3 org., we also accept tax-deductible contributions to support our Digital Inclusion work.
Wally Bowen
Executive Director
Mountain Area Information Network (MAIN) Asheville, N.C.
»www.main.nc.us |
