WASHINGTON, D.C. - In response to today's news that the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology is poised to issue a report on the use of unlicensed "white spaces" to provide high-speed Internet access, Sen. John Kerry urged the FCC to act quickly to establish rules. Kerry has long championed opening the white spaces to expand access to high speed internet nationwide.

"By acting now, the FCC can take a big step toward helping families and small businesses in rural areas get accessible and affordable high speed Internet," said Sen. Kerry. "The bottom line is that we have a potentially game changing technology in our sights-one that will put our public airwaves to use serving the public interest. We should leave the development of that technology in the capable hands of this country's greatest innovators."

"I urge the Commissioners to move forward with the unlicensed use of this spectrum, and to support rules that take steps to prevent interference while making the best possible use of this unused spectrum," Kerry added.

In 2007, Kerry introduced the Wireless Innovation Act, which would require the FCC to write rules governing the unlicensed use of the white spaces for the purposes of providing greater access to high speed internet.

 

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