Western Governors sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai in support of TV White Spaces (TVWS) technology, which delivers reliable internet access at lower costs than traditional broadband infrastructure.
“Broadband internet connectivity is the critical infrastructure of the 21st century and is a necessity for businesses, individuals, schools and government,” noted the letter, which added that many western communities lack access to broadband internet due to the high cost of infrastructure.
“Due to its low-cost infrastructure requirements and ability to transmit signals over long distances and through rugged terrain, (TVWS) represents one possible mechanism to improve internet connectivity for rural businesses, individuals, schools and government,” stated the letter sent on April 24, 2018 and signed by WGA Chair South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard and WGA Vice Chair Hawaii Gov. David Ige.
Given that the long-term success of TVWS technology relies on consistent access to spectrum, the Governors requested that the FCC reserve "adequate spectrum capacity ... for unlicensed use to support the growth of TVWS technology in rural communities."
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