By John Eggerton, Broadcasting & Cable Online, 1-2-18

Adopting a “CAN” do attitude, computer companies, edge providers and others have banded together to push Washington to let them use the so-called TV white spaces to close the rural digital divide.

Microsoft, which has long eagerly eyed the low-band TV spectrum, has joined with ACT: The App Association and various rural and education groups to form the Connect Americans Now (CAN) coalition.

That comes as full-power broadcasters are looking for more of that broadcast spectrum to simulcast new ATSC 3.0 next generation signals and low powers and translators displaced in the post incentive auction repack are looking for new spectrum homes, so there is plenty of competing interest in that low-band TV spectrum.

“Join our fight to bring broadband to all rural Americans,” the coalition, billed as “a Microsoft supported community of concerned citizens, local organizations, rural advocates, and leading innovators,” tells would-be supporters on a slick new site.  “Tell Washington to take action to bridge the digital divide now!” » Read More