Microsoft Pushes to End Broadband Gap in Rural Areas

Tech giant Microsoft is working to eliminate the broadband gap in rural areas, but the company needs rural residents' help to accomplish that goal.  While the private sector can play a leading role in closing the rural broadband gap, the public sector also needs to play a part, she said. Among the methods Microsoft wants to utilize to get high-speed internet out to rural areas is to use the TV white spaces spectrum, which is administrated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).McKinley described TV white space as the grainy channels on your TV that are not being used by broadcast channels. Microsoft wants the FCC to ensure the continued use of these channels and provide even more spectrum. There are two channels in use now, and another one could be possible, she said.One advantage of using TV white space in rural areas is that this spectrum has the ability to go through natural barriers such as trees, she said.Rural residents need to have "a call to action" and should contact their elected officials about expanding white space access, McKinley said. These politicians then have to push the FCC to allow more of the white space spectrum to be used for rural connectivity.