Wired Broadband & Wireless Broadband Are Not Functionally Equivalent Services

FTTP = Fiber Optics to the Premises

Wired (Wireline in FCC vernacular) broadband information service is far superior to wireless broadband information service. Of critical importance, wireline broadband information service by copper, coaxial or fiber optic cables (directly to the premises) IS NOT a “functionally equivalent service” to wireless broadband information service, as seen in the following table and in the definition recognized by U.S. Supreme Court Case No. 03-1601, CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES et al. v. ABRAMS (2005)

Definition of functionally equivalent services:

“When utilizing the term ‘functionally equivalent services‘ the conferees are referring only to personal wireless services as defined in this section that directly compete against one another.”

Definition of personal wireless services:

“commercial mobile services, unlicensed wireless services, and common carrier wireless exchange access services;”


Wired Broadband & Wireless Broadband Are NOT Functionally Equivalent Services

Wired Broadband (FTTP)Wireless Broadband
Data MediumWireline glass fiberWireless through the air
SpectrumVisible LightMicrowave
FrequenciesTerrahertzMegahertz
Frequency Ranges405,000,000,000,000 Hz
to
790,000,000,000,000 Hz
600,000,000 Hz
to
86,000,000,000 Hz
Frequency Ranges405 × 1012 Hz to 790 × 1012 Hz600 × 106 Hz to 86,000 × 106 Hz
Wireless InterferenceNoneUbiquitous
Data capacityHugeLimited
Download speed1,000 Mbsp down25-100 Mbsp down
Upload speed1,000 Mbsp up5-10 Mbsp up
Latency1-5 mill-seconds10-50 ms
Energy-efficiencyExtremely efficientExtremely inefficient
More Frequent InstallationUndergroundOn poles
Less Frequent InstallationOn polesUnderground
Ease of date captureDifficultEasy
SecurityMuch more secureMuch less secure
National SecurityMore reliableMuch less reliable
Electromagnetic Pulse AttackSurvivesDoes not survive
Fire: Natural or AttackSurvives UndergroundDoes not survive=
Health EffectsNoneMany Proven*
Biological EffectsNoneMany Proven*
Environmental EffectsNoneMany Proven*
Impacts in/from PROWNoneSignificant**

* Link to tens of thousand of peer-reviewed studies — established science that proves Negative Health, Biological and Environmental Impacts of RF microwave radiation exposures

**Link to safety, privacy and property value harms from Wireless Telecommunications Facilities (WTFs) installed near homes