Speakers at a congressional session at NATE UNITE here in Nashville believe broadband infrastructure is a bipartisan issue that has a good chance of action. Greg Orlando of law firm BakerHostetler told attendees of “Halftime for the 115th Congress” on Tuesday that Senate Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) released discussion drafts on the issue recently. He’s focused on getting localities and federal agencies to “harmonize their shot clocks” and act on siting applications, for example. “I think we’ll see something pretty soon,” from the committee, he said.
The House Commerce Committee recently held a hearing on 25 broadband bills, Inside Towers reported. Many of the concepts in the legislation, mirror what the Senate is doing. Tim Donovan of the Competitive Carriers Association says one issue for rural America is how to pay for 5G deployment. He predicts there will be 5G usage cases in any legislative infrastructure package. “We’re hopeful that a significant chunk of this goes to broadband over the next two years,” said Donovan.
There was much discussion of what could be in President Donald Trump’s infrastructure package. The outline has been released, Inside Towers reported, but many details are still to be worked out. Also, dedicated funding for rural broadband deployment was part of general infrastructure mentioned, but did not have its own specified dollar amount. “Rural lawmakers will make sure there’s dedicated funding,” predicted Donovan.
Orlando said funding isn’t the only issue to deploy rural broadband; carriers need more spectrum as well.
By Leslie Stimson, Washington Bureau Chief, Inside Towers
February 21, 2018
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