Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) introduced new legislation, the Broadband Incentives for Communities Act, to help communities upgrade and expand their broadband infrastructure. Over the past decade, Congress has invested $12 billion for communities to deploy broadband, and as lawmakers work to pass an infrastructure package with additional broadband investment, local governments will need support navigating the expected increase in permitting applications for these projects.
Fletcher’s bill creates a grant program at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to provide local and state governments with the resources and flexibility necessary to navigate the permitting process successfully. The money will give communities new resources to train and hire employees in the permitting departments, hire additional human resources, and purchase updated technology and equipment that would facilitate the permitting process.
The legislation also requires the NTIA to convene stakeholders to discuss and find solutions to the challenges of efficiently deploying broadband in their local communities. This will help ensure providers can build the networks that are critical to meet the rapidly increasing broadband needs of all communities, according to Fletcher.
“In order to close the digital divide, we need to support communities as they upgrade and increase broadband capabilities. My bill creates a grant program that will provide vital support, ensuring communities have the resources necessary to modernize their infrastructure,” said Fletcher.
Industry associations praised H.R.5058. The Wireless Infrastructure Association “strongly supports” the bill “because it builds on the longstanding and critical partnerships between local governments and wireless infrastructure companies,” said WIA President/CEO Jonathan Adelstein. “For the U.S. to win the race to 5G, it is imperative to provide local and state governments the resources and every incentive to expedite the permitting process, which this legislation does effectively.”
Competitive Carriers Association President/CEO Steve Berry said, “sound infrastructure policies are key to ensuring all communities can connect.” He called infrastructure “the backbone of wireless networks” and said the legislation can help bring the country one step closer to closing the digital divide.
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