Fellow WISPAs I've been reading these threads here with some great interest, and as the "new kid" on the block (Well at 53, maybe "the new geezer" might be more correct ... ) maybe I've not yet earned the right to sound off, but what the heck.
I am deeply concerned that a few (but likely growing number of) "bad apples"COULD in fact destroy (or seriously cripple) this industry by inciting a regulatory backlash. I'm making a substantial personal investment of a fraction of my Life in this business and I want to see it succeed. I've never done shoddy work for an employer or client over the years, and am not going to start now. The question is, what can we do to get a handle on this business? How do we keep Scofflaws and Boneheads from robbing US and our Customers, of this valuable product? Let's face it, the FCC Could, with the stroke of a Pen, put us all OUT of BUSINESS. I THINK I understand a strategy to fix this, but it will take a little time to explain and some time to implement. I MUST Preface this further by saying clearly: I am the last person in the world to want more bureaucracy, paperwork, regulation or government interference. I suspect that most of us in this business have that in common or we'd be working for someone else, rather than slugging it out on our own. Many of you reading the following may at first blush find it contradictory to my position, but I urge you to look it ALL thoroughly before reacting. I Believe the proposal can accomplish MUCH and for a nominal effort on our parts. I will assume facts not all in evidence (from my own knowledge) but . 1) I THINK I'm safe to say that WISPA is the largest and most cohesive body of Professional WISP operators in the US, maybe the world. As such, WISPA's formal opinion SHOULD have some sway with Regulators and Legislators. IF that is true, then we represent a large percentage of a Group of Professionals that provide a valuable service to our communities, for a reasonable compensation. 2) We do this work utilizing "public airwaves" and as such are subject to rules regarding the use of the public resource. We are in fact no less a business than any other, and like broadcaster, and others that earn their living exploiting "public resources," We MUST act responsibly. We however, have no police authority, nor do I suspect we really want any. But we do have a reasonable expectation that those with authority to police the spectrum will do their jobs with the professionalism we EXPECT from any law-enforcement body. 3) The Federal Government has acknowledged that WISPs ARE real communications firms, not a bunch of half-baked hobbyists. The fact of the FCC Activity Reporting Form 477 suggests, we are acknowledged as communications service providers and as such have role in our communities as professionals providing a valuable service. As the CALEA Act suggests, We ARE in fact a communications mechanism that may from time to time need to be "monitored" for legitimate law enforcement purposes. 4) As Serious Professionals, we are all in dire need of greater access to limited resources, and to that end we are pleading with the FCC and Legislators to make more spectrum available especially the so-called "white spaces." OK - so now we know who WE are; will the crackpot-outlaw-troublemaker crowd be Filing Form 477s, or Complying with CALEA? (Or even filing taxes on their revenue?) I tend to doubt it, don't you? I THINK it is time for US to Give the Feds the tool they really need to help. And I think we should offer it as a deal-sweetener to the White Space Initiative. We may be needing to ask for legislation to give the proposal teeth, or perhaps Rule Making may suffice. (I'm not a laywer, nor do I play one on television <grin>) One thing I know about politics is this: It's easier to get something if you're willing to GIVE something too. ***************************** I A Universal WISP Registry. A PLUBLICLY Accessible Database, similar to the FCC's Antenna Structure Registration Database (AWR) only maybe better and more easily searchable. Registration in the Database as an Active WISP (A Person or Firm engaging in Wireless Internet Service for profit or Non-Profit Community Organizations) would be COMPULSOY. The Datebase would include, (but not be limited to) WISP Operator Name, Location and Contact information, Access Point Geo-Codes and Operating Frequencies (and Channels where applicable) TransmitterType Approval Numbers, and EIRP. ALL Commercial WISPs would be required BY LAW (or new FCC Rule Making) to register and maintain the database accuracy of the database at least on an annual basis. preferably more frequently. Failure to comply with this requirement would be subject to VERY HIGH fine. Database Compliance should be a criteria for WISPA Membership. You'll notice that I'm not suggesting Licensing Fees or a paperwork process, or Exclusive Spectrum Use permits, blah blah blah. I'm suggesting that such a Registry would serve US every bit as much as the Regulator / Enforcement Community. The point is that we will have a repository of information about who's doing what where. (very helpful in knowing who IS NOT doing bad stuff as well, or where no one's doing anything). II. A Type Approved Equipment Database We should also insist on a Published Database of TYPE APPROVED equipment (by Vendor) so as to have NO Question IF the gear performs as required. The FCC MUST have this information, and It MUST be public knowledge. We should have it available to US even if we have to take charge of formally creating the database from their raw data. Let us be clear here, FCC Regulations PROHIBIT ABSOLUTELY the use of non-TYPE APPROVED transmitters - FULL STOP. Always Has. Equipment used in violation has always been subject to seizure. WISPA Membership should be contingent on using TYPE APPROVED Equipment. We are not, after all Junk Dealers are we? Both of these Database Tasks are well within the abilities of our members to create and moderate. There are those who will throw dirt in the air and claim public disclosure of this information will be anti-competitive. I say nothing could be further from the truth. We are not in this business the Kill each other, IF we've chosen to operate in an environment where there are multiple players, would it not be better to know, at the cost of a few key strokes, what frequencies are available, who's using them and in what way? Would it not make it absolutely clear, that the signal that's coming from a location NOT in the database is a rouge player that needs to be ejected from the playing field? Would it not help us provide accurate information to our members, and the FCC, about how we use the spectrum we have, that we KNOW how to use it wisely, and that we CAN play nicely together like professionals? Frankly I see this as essential. I Think that reason the White Space Debate has gone on so long is exactly because we have not stepped forward with a WORKING plan of our own to demonstrate to them that WE Do take this business seriously, and that Do Want to Behave as Professionals. I'm sure there's more that could be said, but I think you all get the picture. Tell me where I'm wrong. If Not let's get on with it. I'll Help all I can. Dave Brenton General Manager Rural Tennessee Wireless Broadband Bringing FAST Internet to the rest of us (sm) Dover TN (931) 232-0914 office (931) 627-1142 cell [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
