For Immediate Release:                                                                        News Media Contact:   
April 2, 2004                                                                                                        Kim Fisher, 530-458-7766

ColusaNET founder Rick Kunze invited to speak before the FCC re: Rural WISP deployment

Colusa, CA  -Local Internet service provider ColusaNET Inc. founder and CEO, Rick Kunze has been invited to Washington DC to speak before the FCC regarding "obstacles to rural deployment of wireless broadband Internet access".  Kunze, a regular speaker at WISPCON, the Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) Conference, and recently recognized as "WISP Of The Year", has been invited to address the FCC on April 12th and 15th.  The issues to be discussed include obstacles to rural WISP deployment.  At the recent WISPCON conference held in Chicago on March 15-17, Kunze met with Dr. Robert Pepper, Chief, Office of Plans and Technology, FCC.  He also talked extensively with Lauren Van Wazer, Special Counsel, Office of Engineering and Technology, FCC.  Pepper also spoke at one of the morning keynotes at the conference.  Kunze will be joining a group of 4 other WISPs from around the US who will all travel to Washington to speak on WISP topics.  "The FCC wants us to tell them what we need" said Kunze, "At the WISPCON conference Pepper said that rural WISP deployment is at the top of the FCC agenda" he said.

Their trip includes a meeting with two representatives from FCC Chairman Powell's office, attending and speaking at certain congressional meetings, and speaking before a general staff meeting at the FCC 7th Floor Conference Room.  A private Capitol tour is being provided as well as lunch in the Senate Dining Room.  On April 15th there are additional speaking opportunities as well as a 3PM meeting with FCC Commissioner Martin.

"This is a great opportunity for our community to be represented at the federal level" commented Kunze, who has also just received another invitation, this time directly from Lauren Van Wazer's office to join a panel discussion on similar topics at anther meeting in Washington May 19th.  "ColusaNET is rapidly expanding its wireless footprint to include nearly all of Colusa county and beyond, and it's nice to know the industry has the support of the FCC behind it" commented Kunze.