Former FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate says she thought long ago the country would have solved the digital divide. Tate, now the Vice Chair of the Multicultural Media, Telecom & Internet Council, asked former Commission Chairs during a virtual symposium Monday why it persists.
Ajit Pai, FCC Chair from 2017 to 2021, explained it’s more expensive to bring broadband to less populated areas. He believes that makes a case for the FCC and the rest of the federal government to step in. “So much of our lives today depend on a digital connection,” for telehealth or learning, for example, he said. “I’m happy to hear about the infrastructure plan [being negotiated] now. The White House and The Hill recognize this is a national priority.”
Mignon Clyburn was Acting Chairwoman from May to November of 2013, between the time Julius Genachowski left and Tom Wheeler arrived. Clyburn said: “The digital divide has not been tackled completely because there is no single reason why it exists,” citing barriers in terms of topography and companies not being able to make a business case for less populated areas. “Part of the challenge…has been a siloed approach within the FCC” because of how its bureaus and offices are structured. Clyburn believes a “holistic, complimentary approach” is needed, citing private-public partnerships that other countries use.
Concerning the broadband portion of the infrastructure package, she said: “We’ve got a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we’re debating, in some cases, the small stuff. We need to tackle this in an efficient manner. COVID affirmed how much it is needed. None of our communities should be left without it. These silos have been a challenge, but I’m hoping moving forward, we address those.”
Bill Kennard, Chair from 1997 to 2001, was the only one on the panel who was not an FCC Commissioner before being named Chairman; he was the agency’s General Counsel before taking the top job. “Because our networks are so dynamic we’ll always be addressing this issue to some extent.” He said the pandemic exposed for the first time to some Americans that some people don’t have broadband because of where they live or how much money they have.
But the networks were “incredibly resilient. Imagine if the pandemic had hit five or 10 years ago,” said Kennard. Average speeds in the past 15 years have gone from five megabits per second to 100 megabits per second, according to the Former Chair. “It was heart-wrenching to see 17 million school children unable to work from home, huddled in parking lots,” trying to access the internet.
Of the infrastructure package, he said: “We’ve never seen $65 billion for broadband. That’s unprecedented. It has the potential of a huge infusion of new funding in one fell swoop,” as well as restoring the Universal Service Fund and reforming the Lifeline program.
Kennard added: “This is a hopeful time. There’s a groundswell of support in public and on Capital Hill to do something about it.”
Dick Wiley was FCC Chair from 1974 to 1977. He emphasized the need for digital education for those living in low-income housing so they know how to use online tools. “We can put in all the equipment possible. A cell phone alone isn’t going to do it all the time for [all the] uses people need.” Wiley suggested Congress, the FCC and National Telecommunications and Information Administration find a way to educate consumers in how to use online tools.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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