Media Contact: Office of Media Relations, (202) 418-0500 MediaRelations@fcc.gov For Immediate Release WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT CHAIRMAN PAI’S PLAN TO EXPAND CONNECTIVITY THROUGH TV WHITE SPACES -- ACT | The App Association: “The FCC’s report and order on white spaces comes at a critical time. The current COVID-19 crisis is illuminating the need to enable better use of spectrum, like TVWS, to connect Americans to services such as online learning, telehealth, and remote work. Today’s order is a significant step forward that will benefit our members who create apps for these services and the growth of the app economy as a whole. We thank the FCC for continuing to pursue all options to close the digital divide[.]” (Statement, 10/6/20) Connect Americans Now: “The pandemic has made more urgent than ever the need for every American to have access to broadband internet. We commend FCC Chairman Pai for his commitment to policies that clear regulatory barriers to innovative solutions like TV white space that will help expand broadband access in unserved and underserved communities.” (Statement, 10/6/20) Connected Nation: “#ConnectedNation commends @AjitPaiFCC for circulating a draft Report & Order to clear regulatory barriers to new broadband solutions such as TV white space tech. All options must be on the table to close the Digital Divide. We urge the @FCC to adopt these at the Oct 27 open mtg.” (Tweet, 10/7/20) Consumer Technology Association: “Leveraging access to TV White Spaces will help bridge the digital divide—improving broadband access for rural and underserved communities. Thanks @FCC for the important work on this issue.” (Tweet, 10/6/20) Digital Liberty: “The Order would . . . modify #FCC rules to facilitate the development of new and innovative narrowband Internet of Things devices in TV white spaces. As well as options for rural #broadband.” (Tweet, 10/5/20) Dynamic Spectrum Alliance: “This month, the @FCC will vote on unlicensed use of #TVWS at its October Open Meeting to support rural broadband and help close the #digital divide. The DSA supports this key decision which will make a significant impact in connecting the unconnected during this critical time.” (Tweet, 10/15/20) INCOMPAS: “Proud of our local competitive builders and innovators . . . who see white spaces as an opportunity to connect. Kudos to @AjitPaiFCC for moving it forward.” (Tweet, 10/6/20) Information Technology and Innovation Foundation: “Great to see another step to make unlicensed TV white spaces devices more effective in rural areas. ITIF has long supported unlicensed use of the TV white spaces, especially in rural areas where this under-utilized, high-quality spectrum is abundant.” (Tweet, 10/6/20) Innovation Defense Foundation: “Good news for broadband deployment and white spaces.” (Tweet, 10/6/20) Microsoft: “[P]leased to see @AjitPaiFCC take steps to connect our more than 14 million rural neighbors without #broadband. We can and should bring the benefits of broadband coverage to every corner of the nation. It’s time to close the digital divide and TV White Spaces can help.” (Tweet, 10/6/20) National Grange: “Regulatory barriers have for too long been a hurdle in the effort to get every American connected to high-speed internet that allows them to work, learn, do business and socialize. The pandemic has revealed the great importance of broadband, and we thank Chairman Pai for the continued commitment to reduce the barriers and ensure we are tackling this issue from multiple angles.” (Statement, 10/7/20) National Rural Education Association: “We share @connectamnow praise for @AjitPaiFCC for his commitment to policies that clear regulatory barriers to innovative solutions like #TVWS that will help expand broadband access for Americans stuck behind the digital divide.” (Tweet, 10/6/20) New America’s Open Technology Institute: “Totally agree: Today’s draft Order updates & improves the rules that overly limit public access to vacant TV channels (TV White Space) so that rural ISPs, schools & others can connect folks in unserved areas.” (Tweet, 10/6/20) Public Knowledge: “With this Order, the FCC gives rural communities an important tool for bringing quality broadband to rural Americans. While no one imagines that this alone will solve the digital divide, common sense rule changes like this will help to make the promise of broadband for all Americans a reality. We thank Chairman Pai for circulating this Order.” (Statement, 10/6/20) R Street Institute: “The Commission will . . . vote on a TV white spaces item which improve coverage of existing TVWS operations, especially in rural areas. . . . Connectivity is more important than ever right now, and the Commission is right to explore more ways to ensure Americans have access to the services they need.” (Tweet, 10/6/20) Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition: “We commend Chairman @AjitPaiFCC and the @FCC for taking steps to close the #digitaldivide by increasing opportunities for #broadband deployment via #TVWhiteSpaces.” (Tweet, 10/7/20) Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council: “Two ‘Treats’ Courtesy @AjitPaiFCC: Rules to establish a #5g Fund for Rural America & targeted changes to #TVWhiteSpaces, both of which will help rural #SmallBiz access broadband. Great to see a government leader focused on the critical needs of small biz.” (Tweet, 10/5/20) Taxpayers Protection Alliance: “Encouraging to see @AjitPaiFCC push for reforms to TV White Spaces. This is a big step towards closing the digital divide!” (Tweet, 10/5/20) Voices for Innovation: “TV White Spaces can connect rural, underserved Americans to broadband, closing the #digitaldivide.” (Tweet, 10/6/20) WiFiForward: “We are pleased that the FCC will vote on a TV White Space item during this month’s Open Meeting, an important step towards putting our unused TV airwaves to good use. This forward-leaning technology promises to connect schools, farms, hospitals and homes in unconnected communities nationwide—connections that will literally save lives during this pandemic and beyond. We commend the Commission for its commitment to efficient, smart spectrum policy like this.” (Statement, 10/5/20) Wireless Internet Service Providers Association: “WISPA is encouraged by today’s release of the FCC’s open meeting agenda, which indicates that the TVWS Order will be on deck for the October open meeting. Many of our rural members operate in the band, and we have long advocated for the Commission to develop rules which would help make the band even more useful for them, the WISP ecosystem, and wireless consumers using those services.” (Statement, 10/6/20) ### Office of Chairman Pai: (202) 418-1000 / Twitter: @AjitPaiFCC / www.fcc.gov/leadership/ajit-pai 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. Cir. 1974).