SATELLITES SAID TO PROVIDE ‘BEST HOPE’ FOR RURAL BROADBAND
Satellites offer best hope of eliminating Digital Divide between “information rich and “information poor” in delivery of broadband services to rural U.S., Satellite Industry Assn. (SIA) said in reply comments on proposed rulemaking on issue. Commission seeks comment on best way to provide advanced broadband telecom services throughout U.S. and remove barriers to receiving service. Letter signed by Exec. Dir. Richard Dalbello challenged ability of terrestrial wireline and terrestrial wireless companies to provide service.
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SIA said terrestrial companies had “disappointingly fallen short” in providing service and satellite systems presented “only practical near-term alternative” because of nationwide coverage and ubiquitous service. It said satellites were best for low-population density and low- income areas that “may not have the demand to motivate “ terrestrial buildout. Satellites offer ubiquitous service at prices that are “distance insensitive,” it said.
Broadband satellite services are likely to be only broadband technology available for most small businesses and consumers in U.S., SIA said. Large portions of nation may never be served by either cable or DSL because of cost or technical limits, it said: “Even where DSL has been deployed, many DSL customers have lost access to broadband service when their service provider has ceased operations or declared bankruptcy.” Terrestrial wireless providers are “experiencing significant difficulties” and investment in some networks “has slowed considerably, if not stopped entirely,” SIA said. It said 3 fixed wireless companies were operating under bankruptcy protection and even if they recovered, there was no guarantee they would turn “focus away from heavily populated urban areas.” FCC also shouldn’t grant them more spectrum to meet needs of rural America, SIA said.