NAB’s Smith Responds To State Of The Union

In response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday evening, NAB President-CEO Gordon Smith said Wednesday that his organization “was encouraged to hear President Obama focus attention on expanding wireless broadband to rural America. The President clearly identified a blueprint for economic growth and prosperity, which is ensuring that every American — and not just those living in urban areas — has access to high speed broadband networks.

“We also agree with the White House that wireless broadband infrastructure build-out to rural America is the key to job creation, and NAB believes the president’s vision deserves as much attention as reallocating broadcast spectrum to wireless carriers in urban markets. We encourage Congress to consider a holistic approach to the wireless broadband issue, including passage of spectrum inventory legislation that fully identifies fallow or warehoused airwaves.”