WISPAPALOOZA Attendee Registration is Open – Register for WISPAPALOOZA '23, THE ISP event of the year, October 9 – 12, 2023, at the Paris/Horseshoe hotels, Las Vegas, Nevada. Each year thousands of ISPs converge on WISPAPALOOZA to learn, connect and grow. Featuring over 2,500 ISP attendees, 170+ exhibitors, and more than 130 expert panel presentations, WISPAPALOOZA is jam-packed with up-to-the minute information, the latest hardware, software and services, and access to unparalleled expertise and helpful camaraderie, all of which will propel any ISP to the next level. Fiber. Wireless. Operations. Financial. Networking. Policy. Regulation. Agenda coming soon! Register now for attractive rates and hotel reservations. Get the WISPA-member discount – Join here. For other inquiries, please contact showinfo@wispa.org.
WISPs Descend on Washington – Earlier in May, WISPA welcomed representatives from over 25 WISPA member companies as they spread out over Capitol Hill for the association’s annual Day of Advocacy. During the day-long event, WISP operators and broadband solutions providers met with over 50 different legislators, urging Congress to support policies that encourage small companies like WISPs to help bring connectivity to all Americans, regardless of location. For more info, please contact WISPA VP of Government Affairs, Matt Mandel, at mmandel@wispa.org.
State Activities Surge – In California, AB 1065 passed the Assembly unopposed, giving Fixed Wireless providers access to all funding pots administered by CPUC, subject to approval by the agency. In Wisconsin, WISPA and state WISPs are working with the authors of AB 303 to improve core definitional language that would help small ISPs better access the state’s broadband grant program. Farther south of there, the Louisiana Broadband Office has released the first part of its BEAD Initial Proposal and is taking public comments through June 23. Elsewhere, Pennsylvania and Tennessee have announced community tours and further opportunities for BEAD engagement as they begin preparing their final materials. If you’d like additional info, or would like to know how you can become more active for the WISP industry at the state level, please contact WISPA State Advocacy Manager, Steve Schwerbel at sschwerbel@wispa.org.
BEAD Planning Season Is Finally, Truly Here – WISPA submitted comments on rulemaking proceedings in California and Nevada last month. Meanwhile, several more states have open comment periods to take input on their BEAD plans: Montana (due June 12), Vermont (due June 20), and Maine (due June 30). Please check your state’s broadband office website for these documents and points of contact. While WISPA will be submitting comments as often as possible, your voice significantly amplifies our efforts and provides valuable local insights! Reach out to Steve Schwerbel for more info.
Best Practices Committee Marketing and Sales Webinar – The newly formed Best Practices Committee, Chaired by Tekwav’s Abbi Hubler, conducted its first webinar on topics related to lead cultivation, stewardship, and targeting. If you’re a WISPA member, check out this link to see the information-packed, hour-long event. For more information, please contact Richard Bernhardt, Senior Director, Spectrum & Industry (as well as co-Chair of the committee) at rbernhardt@wispa.org.
