The outlook for congressional passage this year of the Administration’s infrastructure plan is looking dim, some wireless industry experts agree. However, there may be other ways to accomplish some of the goals of broadband deployment in rural areas, they said during a Connect(X) panel on Wednesday in Charlotte, NC.
The Trump Administration proposed a $200 million plan that includes broadband deployment, as well as traditional infrastructure projects such as road, tunnel, waterway and bridge repairs. The seed funding would be spread out over 10 years and the Administration hopes public-private partnerships would generate a total of potentially $3 trillion in investment.
Josh Turner, a partner at law firm Wiley Rein, said the concept is “sound,” and could potentially turn what would be a “small government investment into a big deal.” However, he notes the plan is still a “concept,” and not yet a fully formed legislative product, which hinders its chances of congressional passage soon. “It’s a tough year,” given other lawmakers’ priorities, he said. “There isn’t momentum to get it done.”
The Commerce Department has a plan too, which is more detailed than the White House proposal, according to Turner. However its funding depends on passage of tax cuts, which could get vetoed, according to the attorney. “A lot depends on what happens in November,” said Turner, referring to mid-term elections. “Think of it as a concept document,” which may be retooled by the Democrats if they win a majority of the House, to include more funding for upgrading 911 and broadband mapping, according to the attorney.
Overall, though, “There’s a lot the federal government can do without [passing] legislation to remove barriers” to broadband deployment, he said. “There’s a tremendous amount of interest in this area in terms of investment.”
Indeed, Jennifer Duane, Senior Advisor for Broadband and Public Safety at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, said NTIA has a project that is looking at funds spent on broadband access across federal agencies. A plan passed in March includes ways to free up assets in various government agencies (such as the Department of the Interior possibly increasing access to power facilities) “to potentially lower the costs of the buildout.”
NTIA, EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “are the lead agencies” in a working group focused on broadband deployment that “would look to rural groups for transformative projects” overseen by the Commerce Department, she said. NTIA has relaunched the BroadbandUSA website that includes educational materials to be used as a resource. “We have a team that goes into the community and talks with stakeholders who want to upgrade,” said Duane.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
May 25, 2018
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