FCC Chairman Ajit Pai says the work of the FCC’s Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee for nearly two years has been so helpful and necessary, he intends to recharter the group for another two years. It’s original charter is due to expire in March 2019.
During the BDAC’s meeting Friday, Pai said: “Your work here is not just spinning wheels.
It’s recommendations that we take very seriously. We put a lot on your plate and you’ve delivered.”
The Chairman acknowledged the group has had “robust discussions,” referring to the push-pull of those who represent industry efforts versus those who represent local or state interests. “I always thought if you just rubber-stamp” FCC decisions “that’s not an advisory committee.”
Pai’s re-chartering the BDAC to give the new disaster and recovery work group “time to do their job. The recommendations you make will help us with resiliency of networks,” he said. Pai also announced the agency is creating a new working group concerning bringing broadband to low-income areas.
The Commission plans to issue a public notice this week inviting the public to nominate BDAC members. “Please do consider giving it another go,” he asked current members. “Next iteration of BDAC — 2019 — bigger, better and badder.” Comments? Email us.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
December 10, 2018
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