Here is what I put together and sent to the Indiana Senators Bayh and Lugar. I will probably follow up in a few days with a more carefully constructed letter. I viewed this as an introductory letter and one I am hoping would stimulate a call from a staff member.
Senator Bayh, As a resident of the State of Indiana and one of the first broadband providers in the State, I would like you to be sure to consider the importance of Wireless Broadband Providers when working through the details of the Broadband Stimulus Package. I am currently the President of WISPA (Wireless Internet Service Providers Association) and a member of the US Broadband Coalition effort sponsored by attorney Jim Baller in Washington DC. WISPs have consistently been overlooked the last 10 years in legislation and purposely ignored by ILEC and Cable lobbyists who tend to attempt to keep Congressmen in the dark to protect their interests. WISPA is making large strides in organizing this industry which is made up of an estimated 1500-2000 providers across the country. I welcome the chance to speak with you or a staff member one on one about our association and industry. WISPs in general have been the only source of broadband in most rural areas and many suburban underserved areas of our country for a good many years. My company was the first broadband provider in Bluffton, Decatur, Huntington, Portland and many other small towns in Northeastern Indiana. Our network now spans from Centerville to Elkhart and from Kokomo to VanWert, Ohio. WISPs can quickly deploy broadband systems for a fraction of the cost that other hardline providers have to contend with. Our ability to deploy quickly is hampered only by lack of funding. The FCC has opened more spectrum up for WISP use the last several years and WISPA has had an important impact through its lobbying efforts to achieve this. We believe we are a solid third broadband pipe and an important one to prevent the current duopoly from getting worse. I look forward to hearing back from your staff concerning this topic as I know the legislation is on a fast track through the Senate, just as it went through the House Committee. Broadband Stimulation is essential and WISPs should be part of the final package. Respectfully, Rick Harnish President WISPA -----Original Message----- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Martha Huizenga Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 3:37 PM To: memb...@wispa.org Cc: 'WISPA General List'; 'Motorola Canopy User Group' Subject: Re: [WISPA] [WISPA Members] Broadband Stimulus Package - Contact your Congressmen Rick, Can you send your letter to help people out? We can change what we want or add words, but that will probably help to get the word out. Thanks Martha Martha Huizenga DC Access, LLC 202-546-5898 */Friendly, Local, Affordable, Internet!/**/ Connecting the Capitol Hill Community /* Rick Harnish wrote: > > To all, > > > > Here are websites that you can find your US Senators and > Representatives. I just sent a letter to my two Senators in Indiana. > It is important that everyone do this and make sure the Senators > understand the importance WISPs have had in rural broadband and how > important we are in the future. We can send them a more unified > message as the legislative committee gets it refined. I think it is > important to get on the radar screen early though. Make an > introduction of your company and your locations > > > > http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm > > > > http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml > > > > > > Respectfully, > > > > Rick Harnish > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > > WISPA Membership Mailing List > > ----------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- 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/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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/
