Support of FCC Plan to Help Bridge Digital Divide

Companies and Organizations Including ADM, BASF, Corteva, National Cattlemen’s Beef, National Cotton Council, National Grange, National Veteran Small Business Coalition, SHLB, and USA Rice Urge Commission to Adopt Updated TVWS Rules to Expand Broadband Connectivity

Washington, D.C. – Connect Americans Now (CAN) filed comments Tuesday with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), co-signed by 41 companies and organizations, in support of a Report and Order to update rules regarding TV white space (TVWS) technology — a critical solution that can help expand the pace, scale and cost-effectiveness of hybrid-network broadband deployments. The full Commission will vote on the Report and Order, introduced earlier this month by Chairman Pai, on October 27.

“We commend the members of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for your shared commitment to expanding broadband connectivity in unserved and underserved communities, particularly by maximizing spectrum resources and clearing regulatory barriers to innovation,” the comment letter states. “We write to endorse the Commission’s draft Report and Order regarding Unlicensed White Space Device Operations in the Television Bands. We support the adoption of this order during the Commission’s next open meeting on October 27, 2020, along with adjustments to further enhance the benefit of white space technology (TVWS) as a tool to help bridge the digital divide and support IoT and precision agriculture innovation.”

“…For the millions of Americans who lack access to a broadband connection, the pandemic has exacerbated the many challenges associated with the digital divide and made more urgent solutions to maximize the potential of every tool at the nation’s disposal, including TVWS,” the letter continues. “That is why Connect Americans Now (CAN), and the 41 organizations co-signed on this letter, welcome the Commission’s leadership to clear regulatory barriers to TVWS and strongly encourage the adoption of the draft Report that will help reduce costs and increase the reach of hybrid network broadband deployments.”
Read the full comment letter HERE.

Full list of co-signers on the CAN comment letter:

National Companies, Organizations
Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM)
BASF
BroadbandNow
Connected Nation
Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)
Corteva
Digital Wish
Gigabit Libraries Network
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
National Cotton Council
National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry
National Rural Education Association
National Veteran Small Business Coalition
Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB)
USA Rice Federation

Regional/State Companies, Organizations
AllGo
California Farm Bureau Federation
Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce
Eastern Oregon Telecom
Economic Development Association of North Dakota
Mississippi Restaurant and Hospitality Association
Montana Rural Education Association
Nevada Farm Bureau
North Clackamas Chamber of Commerce
Northern Wasco County PUD
Oregon Association of Nurseries
Oregon Hop Growers Association
Oregon Dairy Farmers Association
Oregon Economic Development Association
Oregon State Chamber of Commerce
Oregon State Grange
Technology Association of Oregon
Teleco Systems
Telehealth Alliance of Oregon
Tillamook Bay Community College
Thomas County Economic Development Association
Washington Farm Bureau Federation
Wisconsin Corn Growers
Wisconsin Independent Businesses
Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance (WiRSA)
Wisconsin Technology Council

Connect Americans Now is a coalition of leading innovators, broadband and spectrum advocates, champions for rural communities, voices in agriculture, telehealth organizations, education and veterans’ groups and more, committed to completely eliminating the digital divide in America.

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