Senate Sets Genachowski (FCC) Confirmation Hearing - Tasked with Formulating National Broadband Plan

Reference Article

Senate Sets Genachowski Confirmation Hearing

"Almost six months after his nomination to serve as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Julius Genachowski will finally go through the confirmation process [June 16]. If confirmed, as expected, Genachowski is likely to lead President Obama's change agenda for U.S. technology, including policy changes on network neutrality."


A national broadband plan. This is what new FCC Chair Julius Genachowski will be charged with formulating. This is going to be quite a task based upon past FCC and White House policy and rule changes surrounding broadband and spectrum in this country. But with Harvard buddy Obama at the helm some significant changes are surely going to present.

So what does FCC Chairman Genachowski have to work with?

Spectrum - 2.5GHz EBS (Excess), 3.65GHz (Incentives for Operators), 4.9GHz, 5.8GHz, 2.4GHz

The most immediate creative and viable solution in developing and deploying a nation wide broadband plan lies with a proactive approach by Clearwire so we will leave AT&T and Verizon out of the mix for now.

As Clearwire now controls about 85+ percent of the 2.5GHz EBS band covering major MSA's in the United States the following model is proposed. This new model does not effect existing lease agreements with non-profit 2.5GHz EBS license holders.

Link to Proposed Model (graphic opens in new window)
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The overall benefits of "CLEAR" (Clearwire/Sprint) partnering with local GSA 3.65GHz service provider(s) and equipment manufacturers in concurrent build out of the 2.5GHz EBS band (fixed/nomadic/mobile), 3.65GHz band (fixed, nomadic), and other synergistic spectrum (e.g. 5.nGHz, 4.9GHz, 2.4GHz, etc) provides for the following:

• Ubiquitous (one account) fixed, nomadic and mobile broadband wireless services, communications, applications, media and entertainment for all residents, businesses, local/county governments, school systems, colleges/universities, public safety, first responders, health care, libraries, low-income households, etc. within the coverage area (GSA)
• Revenue models will enable CLEAR to maintain projected bottom line profits using the 2.5GHz EBS while revenue models using the 3.65GHz will flow back to the communities through the public/private partnerships (PPP's) that will be formed. For example:
• CLEAR (2.5GHz EBS) can charge whatever they see fit for enhanced fixed/mobile/nomadic wireless services (which subscribers will demand) including increased upload/download speeds, VoIP, enabling delivery platforms for three-screens digital media, hosted video platforms, video servers, CDN, publishing platforms, technology platforms for rich media, Encoding/Transcoding, DRM and content security, client software, streaming, players, asset management, streaming and delivery platforms, VOD, subscription, rental, download to own, ad-supported, carrier services and delivery, hybrid, service bundles, three-screens convergence devices and services, hybrid set-top boxes, carrier and over-the-top enabled devices, broadcast and streaming, CE device streaming platforms, software platforms for three-screens services, etc.
• Community (Public/Private Partnerships (PPP's) and/or Service Providers) 3.65GHz can charge low-cost base core subscription rates for basic fixed/nomadic wireless internet/network access and communications, fixed/nomadic VoIP, VPN's, fixed point-to-point. These local networks will also provide broadband applications and services autonomous to local communities and cities for residents, businesses, local governments, public safety/first responder, health care, school systems, colleges, local newspapers, libraries, low-income households or other public or departmental agencies distance learning, employer outreach, telemedicine, destination market portals, etc.
• Marketing can be set up in a way that potential subscribers will have multiple PPP/CLEAR SLA's to choose from.
• Adhere to the FCC deadline that's pushing lease holders nationwide to find operators that will put 2.5GHz spectrum to substantive use by May, 2011 (model can lead to concurrent build out in all CLEAR GSA's and may possibly extend this deadline of May, 2011).
• Greatly increase subscriber base to CLEAR services
• This model makes the non-profit EBS license holder look very good in the eyes of all communities, cities and municipalities within the GSA coverage area (instead of sole beneficiaries of CLEAR lease monies being the constituency of that particular EBS license holder)      
  
• Spectrum use and management of all available bands is greatly improved
• This model can help to set the standard for BTOP, NTIA, RUS, FCC, NEBSA in:
  • Rural Markets (un-served, under served) - In markets where CLEAR has obtained licenses where GSA coverage spills over to these markets CLEAR can partner with local service providers AND the electric/telecommunication cooperatives to incorporate the latest in state-of-the-art broadband facilities. (Supports comments made by the NEBSA regarding funding for lease partners -http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/comments/6F1B.doc - Pg. 8, Sec 6)
  • Urban and Suburban Markets - CLEAR (2.5GHz) partnership with local 3.65GHz GSA public/private partnerships will expedite concurrent build out of new state-of-the-art broadband wireless facilities and deliverables and;
  • The development and deployment of a new national broadband plan, delivered to Obama and Congress by February, 2010            
• Exponential job creation in markets throughout the United States and;
  
• CLEAR 2.5GHz EBS, partnering with Community (PPP) 3.65GHz, solidifies CLEAR's position in the market and provides distinct competitive advantage over future ATT/Verizon 700MHz LTE offerings.

The Newspaper Publishing Industry

If you incorporate the Newspaper Publishing Industry into the above model then you have a "clear" marketing strategy as:

• The Newspaper Publishing Industry needs broadband wireless facilities for delivery of future "e-newspapers" to e-readers like Kindle and Plastic Logic and;
• Wireless incumbent Clearwire (2.5GHz EBS) and local 3.65GHz WiMAX service providers have an instant subscriber base (newspaper circulation) of which to market extended or enhanced broadband wireless services (co-marketing of multiple service level agreements)