*Pages 1--4 from Microsoft Word - 31362* NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: September 12, 2003 Meribeth McCarrick at (202) 418- 0654 Meribeth. Mccarrick@ fcc. gov FCC ANNOUNCES AGENDA AND SPEAKERS FOR RURAL WIRELESS ISP SHOWCASE AND WORKSHOP TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 18, 2003 Washington D. C. – The Federal Communications Commission has released the agenda and further details for Rural Wireless Internet Service Provider (ISP) Showcase and Workshop to be held at the Commission on September 18, 2003, beginning at 9: 30 a. m. This event is part of ongoing Commission efforts intended to facilitate the deployment of broadband services to rural America. The agenda and list of participants is attached. Background on Wireless ISPs Wireless ISPs have been sprouting up across rural America providing high- speed Internet access using both licensed and unlicensed spectrum. Deploying networks which use grain silos, water towers, and pumping stations as antenna sites, rural WISPs are beginning to bring broadband service to previously unserved areas and to provide new competition in areas that already have broadband access. The Rural WISP Showcase will feature “virtual tours” of several WISPs, discussions of technology, implementation issues, best practices, and lessons learned. In addition, it will provide an opportunity for the Commission to learn what, if any, regulatory barriers stand in the way of rural WISP deployment. Presenters will be service providers who are offering high-speed Internet service to their rural customers. The Showcase will emphasize real world questions and practical solutions with the goal of encouraging and enabling new, innovative, and economic approaches to providing rural broadband. Information concerning the Showcase, the including agenda, copies of presentations, and bios of the speakers, will be available at the Showcase webpage http:// www. fcc. gov/ osp/ rural-wisp. html. For further information please contact Robert Pepper, Chief, Policy Development; email: WISPShowcase@ fcc. gov; voice: 202- 418- 2030. -- FCC -- 1 2 Rural Wireless ISP Showcase and Workshop Agenda (subject to revision) Thursday, September 18, 2003 Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street SW, Washington, DC This full- day event is designed to facilitate information dissemination about Rural WISPs as a compelling solution for rural broadband service. It will also provide an opportunity for the Commission to learn what, if any, regulatory barriers stand in the way of rural WISP deployment. 9: 30 AM Welcome and Introduction 9: 40 AM Welcoming Remarks Chairman Michael K. Powell 10: 00 AM Technologies and Architectures: WISP Nuts & Bolts WISP operators will describe their operations in rural America. These practical descriptions of technologies and system configurations will illustrate the wide variety of technologies and lessons learned, including: arranging backbone connections; exploiting technological advantages; and antenna sites necessary to bring high- speed wireless to diverse geographic environments. Presenters: Marlon Schafer, Odessa Office (Washington) Douglas Campbell, AMATechTel (Texas) Mark Schultz, Monet Mobile Networks (South Dakota) Jim Pace, Strategic Information Services, LLC (Idaho) Roxanne White, Evertek Enterprises (Iowa) 11: 15 AM WISP Implementation: Lessons Learned Rural WISPs will describe what it takes to start their operations and lessons they have learned. Subjects covered will include: network and operating costs; customer acquisition and care; the value of partnerships; raising capital; and working with local officials. Remarks: Commissioner Michael J. Copps Presenters: Michael Butler, Mitkof. Net (Alaska) Neil J. Mulholland, Prairie iNet (Iowa) Joel Brick, Sioux Valley Wireless (South Dakota) Jim Selby, Aspen Wireless Technologies (Colorado) Larry Roadman, Margaretville (New York) Telephone Co. 12: 30 PM Lunch Break 2 3 1: 30 PM Workshop Panels Government Funding How can a rural WISP obtain loans, grants, guarantees, and start- up assistance from such agencies as the Rural Utilities Service of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce? Roberta Purcell, Assistant Administrator, USDA RUS Don Druker, NTIA TOP Applications and Community Building A focus on how WISPs are providing services and applications that help build and enhance rural communities. Examples will include how WISPs are providing telemedicine, education, and other services in rural and remote communities. Christina McCandless, Cyber Mesa (New Mexico) Mike Peralta, Tribal Digital Village (California) Technical and Interference Issues What are the FCC’s rules, procedures and enforcement mechanisms applicable to WISPs? What are the alternatives available, i. e., licensed versus unlicensed spectrum? How can one solve interference issues? Julius Knapp, FCC OET Joe Casey, FCC EB Michael Anderson, PDQLink (Illinois) 2: 15 PM Break 2: 25 PM FCC Town Meeting An open forum opportunity for the FCC to hear how it can help facilitate rural WISP broadband deployment and services. The format will be Q& A. Remarks: Commissioner Kathleen Q. Abernathy Panelists: Robert Pepper, Chief, Policy Development Ed Thomas, Chief, Office of Engineering & Technology John Muleta, Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Julius Knapp, Deputy Chief, Office of Engineering & Technology Joe Casey, Chief, Spectrum Enforcement Division, Enforcement Bureau 3: 20 PM Closing Remarks Commissioner Kevin J. Martin Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein 3: 30 PM Adjourn Additional Information 3 4 Registration The Rural Wireless ISP Showcase and Workshop is open to the public and will be held in the Commission Meeting Room at the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, DC. There is no registration fee and seating is made available on a first come, first serve basis. Since a large attendance is expected, attendees are invited to RSVP to WISPShowcase@ fcc. gov to help us ensure that we have sufficient facilities. Please indicate your name, who you represent, your email address, and which afternoon Workshop Panel you intend on attending. Facilities The FCC is located at 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554. Directions and a map of the streets near the FCC is available at http:// www. fcc. gov/ portalsmap. html. The Commission Meeting Room is equipped with a Wi- Fi Internet network. Security Please note that the FCC is a federal building with security. All attendees will be required to pass through security. Please allocate additional time to enter the building. Webcast The Rural Wireless ISP Showcase will be webcast live and archived for later viewing. During the afternoon Workshop Panels, only one panel will be webcast live. The other sessions will be recorded and made available for later viewing. Access to and additional information concerning the webcast is available at http:// www. fcc. gov/ realaudio/. Reasonable Accommodations Open captioning will be provided for this event. Other reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Include a description of the accommodation you will need including as much detail as you can. Also include a way we can contact you if we need more information. Make your request as early as possible; please allow at least 5 days advance notice. Last minute requests will be accepted, but may be impossible to fill. Send an e- mail to fcc504@ fcc. gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau: For sign language interpreters, CART, and other reasonable accommodations: 202- 418- 0530 (voice), 202- 418- 0432 (tty). For accessible format materials (braille, large print, electronic files, and audio format): 202- 418- 0531 (voice), 202- 418- 7365 (tty) For More Information: WISPShowcase@ fcc. gov (202) 418- 2030 4