Mobile VoIP Provider Weighs In On New Broadband Plan

Just last week, the FCC (News - Alert) presented its National Broadband Plan which includes the suggested creation of broadband performance measurement standards and a move to connect 100 million households to affordable 100-megabits-per-second service as well as a plan to offer affordable access to ultra-high-speed broadband - of at least 1 gigabit per second - at anchor institutions such as schools, hospitals, and military installations, and more.

Commenting on the new plan, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski (News - Alert) said it is, “a 21st century roadmap to spur economic growth and investment, create jobs, educate our children, protect our citizens, and engage in our democracy.”

Mobile VoIP provider xG Technology (News - Alert) offers xMax – a cellular infrastructure technology that makes mobile VoIP calling possible and more affordable by using an unlicensed portion of the radio spectrum long thought unsuitable for cell phone use.

I took some time recently to chat with Chris Whiteley (News - Alert), director of business development for xG to find out his thoughts on the new broadband plan and how it will affect the mobile VoIP marketplace.

SV: What do you think of the FCC’s national broadband plan?

CW: We applaud the FCC for its recommendations to make available more unlicensed spectrum.  The Commission clearly recognizes the innovation triggered by unlicensed access to spectrum and the associated benefits including, low barriers to entry, faster time to market, reduced costs of entry, and very efficient spectrum usage. 

SV: How do you expect this plan to affect your markets?

CW: The plan’s recommendation to open more unlicensed spectrum and spur deployment of cognitive radios falls squarely within xG’s stated business plan and product offering.  We are extremely well position to benefit from steps that the FCC and NTIA should take to expand the environment in which new, opportunistic technologies can be developed and deployed. 

SV: Any other thoughts on what this new plan means for the future of communications

CW: We support the Commission’s desire to finalize unlicensed TV white space access rules and we encourage the possibility of expanding this approach to other spectrum bands on an unlicensed basis.   Based on the FCC’s support it is clear that unlicensed spectrum and cognitive radio technology has a significant role to play in the delivery of broadband services across the U.S.