FCC Grants ISPs Temporary Access to Wireless Spectrum to Help Handle Demand During Pandemic

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FCC Grants ISPs Temporary Access to Wireless Spectrum to Help Handle Demand During Pandemic

By CircleID Reporter
March 27, 2020, 9:02 pm PDT Views: 9,831 Add Comment

The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau today granted temporary spectrum access to 33 wireless Internet service providers serving 330 counties in the U.S. to help them serve rural communities facing an increase in broadband needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Special Temporary Authority (STA) granted today allows these companies to use the lower 45 megahertz of spectrum in the 5.9 GHz band for 60 days,” says FCC. Ajit Pai, FCC Chairman, adds: “Fixed wireless broadband providers deliver this service for many communities, especially those hardest for other providers to reach. Giving them access to the 5.9 GHz band will help them meet their customers’ needs during these challenging times.” The Special Temporary Authorities granted today will be provided to U.S. communities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.

By CircleID Reporter

CircleID’s internal staff reporting on news tips and developing stories. Do you have information the professional Internet community should be aware of? Contact us.

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