Right now, nearly every American reading this is adjusting to the “new normal” of working or distance learning from home.
Although it remains uncertain how long COVID-19 will keep businesses closed and classrooms empty, one thing is certain: The longer the quarantine continues, the more pronounced our country’s digital divide will become. Particularly in this uncertain time, the public sector must take action to ensure that a favorable climate exists for the private sector to bring high-speed connectivity to as much of America as possible, as fast as possible.
According to a Pew Research Center analysis of 2015 U.S. Census Bureau data, nearly one in five teens already struggled during pre-coronavirus “normal” times to reliably finish homework because they lack dependable computers or internet connections at home. Additionally, approximately 15% of households with school-age children don’t have high speed internet.
The consequences of that disparity impact the everyday education of our nation’s most vulnerable students. With the coronavirus now forcing those students to stay home, deprived of most school resources, the digital divide has become an even more pressing concern.
Mandatory school closures to combat COVID-19 have left at least 124,000 U.S. schools shuttered, affecting over 55 million students. If you happen to live in a connected city or suburb that probably means your daily routine is altered. But if you’re one of at least 12 million students living in a rural area, your education may be put entirely on hold due to limited connectivity.
Commendably, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has moved forward with several notable proposals spearheaded by Chairman Ajit Pai offering significant solutions to help close that divide and bridge America’s “homework gap.” Those efforts include both 1) freeing up critical and currently under-utilized spectrum in the 5.9 and 6 GHz bands for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed use, and 2) reallocating much-needed spectrum in what’s known as the “C-band” to broadband and wireless providers through a public auction.
Both efforts are critical, with the latter proposal being essential to enabling fast build-out of the next-generation wireless network infrastructure needed to realize the enormous benefits that 5G promises. There is still significant work that needs to be done, however, to adhere to Chairman Pai’s aggressive timeline to begin the C-band public auction later this year.
The C-band is currently occupied by satellite companies who distribute content to broadcasters. To help accelerate buildout of the necessary 5G infrastructure across the country, those incumbent satellite companies must transition out of a portion of the C-band to make room for the broadband and wireless companies that will provide the new 5G services.
Chairman Pai's plan can make all that happen fairly and quickly.
Specifically, the plan provides up to $9.7 billion in incentive payments to the incumbent satellite companies if they quickly move off of the spectrum soon to be used for 5G and other advanced wireless services. Those payments will originate from the revenue of the spectrum’s auction, which holds the potential to generate upwards of $60 billion.
The acceleration payments represent fair compensation for satellite companies, which have reportedly invested billions into the C-band over the past 40 years, while at the same time protecting taxpayers as the bulk of the auction proceeds that remain will go to the Treasury.
If Chairman Pai’s proposal is executed as planned, without unnecessary headwinds and frivolous objections, the auction will begin at the end of this year, offering the fastest route to nationwide 5G.
The coronavirus pandemic is challenging our country economically and socially, and it is further exposing a flaw as people are forced to work from home, engage in distance learning and rely on telemedicine. That flaw requires cooperative and swift action to pave the way for progress.
Just as Chairman Pai’s plans to free up under-utilized spectrum for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed use will help to bridge our nation’s digital divide, so too will his C-band plan, which promises a fair, efficient and effective way of accelerating 5G to all of America.
Jeffrey Mazzella is president of the Center for Individual Freedom.