*Pages 1--4 from Microsoft Word - 38111* 3 5. Wireless broadband offers clear advantages over other broadband alternatives in terms of both portability and mobility. Do the Commission’s rules effectively provide for or account for these capabilities? Could these rules be more flexible? If so, how? 6. Are there regulatory incentives that would foster continued investment in and deployment of state- of- the- art technologies? If so, what are they? Are the incentives different for licensed services as compared with services offered using unlicensed devices? 7. We seek comment on the extent and nature of the deployment of wireless broadband services. For example, we are interested in data regarding market penetration rates; the geographic distribution of wireless broadband services; the extent of competition in the areas in which wireless broadband is deployed; and whether licensed services, unlicensed devices, or a combination of both licensed service and unlicensed devices are used; and the types of technologies used in the networks deployed. 8. With the continued development of new technologies and network configurations, including mesh networks and integrated wireless broadband networks and devices that use both licensed and unlicensed spectrum, are there any rules that require review for updating or increased flexibility? 9. We also seek comment on the types of applications associated with wireless broadband deployment. a. What types of applications are or will be offered over wireless broadband networks? Are they similar to the applications of the wired Internet (email and web surfing), or are other, more personalized, niche applications being developed? Do the applications differ between licensed and unlicensed networks? What is the relationship between network operators and content providers? b. What are typically available data rates, and at what pace are they increasing? c. Is the traffic associated with wireless broadband more typically symmetric or asymmetric? Does the relative distribution of these traffic patterns affect the required bandwidth for wireless broadband systems? If so, how? d. What is the distribution of wireless broadband between fixed, mobile, and portable installations? 10. While we are interested in these deployment data across larger geographic regions and on an aggregate basis, we are also interested in information about wireless broadband deployment in specific communities -- rural or urban, large or small, and in varied geographic regions. With a view toward using successful deployments as models or examples for other service providers or communities, have there been pilot or full- scale programs that have been particularly innovative or successful in terms of increasing access to broadband through wireless facilities? 11. Are there ways in which federal wireless broadband policies could facilitate better available policy options for states and municipalities? If so, how? 3 4 12. What barriers (information, infrastructure) to entry remain for WISP entrepreneurs particularly for unlicensed services? To the extent identified, how can government address these issues? Interested parties may file comments no later than June 3, 2004. Reply comments are due July 1, 2004. All filings should refer to GN Docket No. 04- 163. An original and four copies of all documents must be filed with the Commission’s Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, 445 12th Street, S. W., TW- A325, Washington, D. C. 20554, in accordance with Section 1.51( c) of the Commission’s rules, 47 C. F. R. § 1.51( c). 1 In addition, one copy of each document must be delivered to each of the following locations: (1) the Commission’s duplicating contractor, Qualex International (“ Qualex”), 445 12th Street, S. W., Room CY- B402, Washington, D. C. 20554; (2) Office of Media Relations, Reference Operations Division, 445 12th Street, S. W., Room CY- A257, Washington, D. C. 20554; (3) Lauren M. Van Wazer, Associate Chief and Special Counsel, Office of Engineering and Technology, 445 12th Street, S. W., Room 7- C257, Washington, D. C. 20554; and (4) John Branscome, Legal Advisor, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, 445 12 th Street, S. W., Room 3- C227, Washington, D. C. 20554. Copies of the comments and reply comments filed in this matter may be obtained from Qualex, 445 12th Street, S. W., Room CY- B402, Washington, D. C. 20554, telephone (202) 863- 2893. The documents are also available for public inspection and copying during normal reference room hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, 445 12th Street, S. W., Room CY- A257, Washington, D. C. 20554. Instead of filing paper comments, parties may file comments using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 Fed. Reg. 24,121 (1998). Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to http:// www. fcc. gov/ cgb/ ecfs/. Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, however, commenters must transmit one electronic copy of the comments to each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e- mail. To get filing instructions for e- mail comments, commenters should send an e- mail to ecfs@ fcc. gov, and should include the following words in the body of the message, "get form ." A sample form and directions will be sent in reply. For further information, contact Erin Boone, Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis, at (202) 418- 2030. 1 On October 17- 18, 2001, the Commission announced modified procedures for parties wishing to hand- deliver, or deliver by overnight courier, documents to the FCC’s Office of the Secretary. See Public Notice Nos. DA 01- 2430, DA 01- 2436 and DA 01- 2451. 4