Today's FCC decision to open up the TV Whitespaces for unlicensed operations
is a decision that validates the WISP industry, WISPA, it's members and the
"grassroots" efforts we have achieved since our birth in 2004.  I would like
to thank all of the WISP operators who have joined this movement and have
supported our efforts to improve our industry's stake in the Broadband
Service business landscape.  

 

WISPA isn't a business; it is a well defined "association" of member
companies that have common interests and a drive to improve their
businesses.  It is quite remarkable what we can all do when we combine our
forces.  Today's M&O on the TV Whitespaces included "WISPA" 88 times!  We
(WISPA) are now a household name with most of the lobbying groups (both
opposition and supporters) in the broadband industry, the FCC and many
legislators.  We still need to work on the legislative lobbying effort and
that will take each of our members to write to their congressman and
senators, meet them personally and tell them our stories and successes.
Although it may be out of many operator's comfort zone, it should be noted
that they (legislators) all get up and get dressed every morning just like
you and I.  They are often former neighbors and have a passion to serve
their local service areas, just like we do.  We need to befriend these
influential people and relay our passion to extend broadband ubiquitously.  

 

We estimate there are 2000-3000 WISPs in the USA.  Nearly 400 have joined
and support WISPA.  We can further benefit our industry with greater
participation from those who continue to sit on the sidelines.  We invite
those WISPs to join the rest of the operators by joining WISPA at
http://signup.wispa.org.  By joining WISPA, you become a co-owner of WISPA
with all of the other members.  Incidentally, I just received a call from
Francois Menard, a very astute operator in Canada, who will be joining WISPA
very soon.  He thanked WISPA for our hard work and he would like to get a
similar organization started in Canada or get more Canadian WISP companies
to join WISPA.  There is absolutely no reason why we cannot duplicate what
we have achieved to assist our neighbors to the north with greater
effectiveness.  

 

The telecom world is heating up, debate is dynamic and everlasting!  Our
work and lobbying continues or we will fade away through legislation without
representation.  We MUST speak up to hold our ground and seek new fertile
ground.  I work hard each day to stimulate the industry I so dearly love.  I
invite you to join our efforts.  The technical talk is fine and needed, but
without a playing field to place the infrastructure and achieve business
success, the technical talk is all a moot point.

 

Respectfully,

 

Rick Harnish

Executive Director

WISPA

260-307-4000 cell

866-317-2851 WISPA Office

Skype: rick.harnish.

rharn...@wispa.org

 


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WISPA Wants You! Join today!
http://signup.wispa.org/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org

Subscribe/Unsubscribe:
http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless

Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/

Reply via email to