Broadband and 5G are priorities for U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, (R-MS). The new Chairman of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on Wednesday convened the committee for its first meeting of the 116th Congress. During the meeting, the committee approved the rules for the committee and the subcommittee structure.
Wicker sees the committee focusing on a number of primary objectives across the body’s broad jurisdiction. He called broadband connectivity, “the digital engine driving investment, innovation, and productivity in virtually every economic sector in the United States. Although we have made significant progress on wireline, wireless, and satellite broadband deployments over the years, more needs to be done to close the digital divide, particularly in rural America,” Wicker said.
This process should start with collecting standardized and accurate data about where reliable fixed and mobile broadband already exists and where it does not – both in his home state of Mississippi and around the country, he added.
He also said the committee will continue its efforts to maintain U.S. leadership in 5G. Wicker said: “To that end, modernizing outdated rules that delay and add unnecessary costs to broadband infrastructure deployment and making more spectrum available for commercial use will be critical to our nation’s success in developing a reliable, resilient, and secure 5G network.” Comments? Email Us
January 18, 2019
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