“Deploying broadband is hard, expensive, and time-consuming work, whether you’re trenching fiber, attaching equipment to poles, or setting up a gateway earth station. Red tape shouldn’t make those tasks even harder,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to attendees of the first meeting of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee (BDAC). The group held its inaugural meeting on Friday during the Commission’s “infrastructure month.”
“With rules that make it easier to deploy broadband, we will see more broadband deployed,” said Pai. “And in turn, we can empower millions of Americans with digital opportunity.”
The FCC received more than 380 applications from individuals interested in being on the committee. The nominees represent industry, government, and consumer and community organizations. So far, 29 have been invited to take part in the group. They are to provide the Commission with recommendations on ways to spur broadband deployment and reduce barriers to investment. That includes developing model codes—one for municipalities and another for states—guidelines that balance interests of state and local governments with the growing demands of the public for better, faster, and cheaper broadband.
Wireless Infrastructure Association President/CEO Jonathan Adelstein chairs the Streamlining Federal Siting Working Group. He said “Increasing broadband connectivity will help close the digital divide and deliver countless economic benefits. BDAC’s work advising on ways to reduce barriers to broadband deployment will play a major role in ensuring that those networks can be responsibly deployed throughout the country. BDAC can inform the comprehensive rulemakings on broadband infrastructure deployment under way at the FCC and help bring them to successful fruition.”
April 24, 2017
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