Unlicensed Spectrum Should Be Part of Plan to Improve E-rate, Clyburn Says
Acting FCC Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn said the FCC and the telecommunications industry should use Wi-Fi and other unlicensed spectrum to accomplish President Barack Obama’s goal of improving the E-rate program and increasing Internet speeds in schools (CD June 7 p2). “It’s not economically efficient to hardwire this entire country,” said Clyburn, who was being interviewed onstage at Tuesday’s general session of the NCTA Cable show by former FCC Chairman Michael Powell, now head of NCTA. “We have to figure out what’s the most effective way to connect the community, using both licensed and unlicensed platforms,” she said.Clyburn said increasing access to high-speed Internet is especially important in poorer areas, because quick Internet can compensate for a lack of other resources. “Broadband is a great equalizer for a whole host of people,” said Clyburn. She provided an example of a school in a low-income area using the Internet to connect students with a foreign language teacher for instruction the school could otherwise not afford. “At the click of mouse you can transport yourself to another country,” said Clyburn.
An aide to Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said the commissioner also believes in improving the commission’s E-rate program. Alex Hoehn-Saric said Rosenworcel wants schools to have broadband at 100 Mbps per 1,000 students by the 2015 school year, and up to 1 Gbps per 1,000 students within a decade. Clyburn said implementing the improved Internet speeds would require “government engagement and public-private partnerships."
Powell also asked Clyburn how she plans to set the commission’s agenda during her stint as acting chairwoman. Clyburn said the commission was focused on fulfilling industry measurement requirements, implementing sections of the 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act on time, and staying on track for the incentive auction. “That’s taking up all the oxygen right now,” she said.