House Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Communications and Technology Subcommittee Republican Leader Robert Latta (R-OH), along with U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and John Thune (R-SD), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, outlined their priorities for implementation of broadband programs from NTIA and the Infrastructure Law.
In a letter to NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson, the lawmakers call on NTIA to Commit to using the FCC’s new broadband maps, once challenges are resolved, for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, and not rely on other data sources to supplement or substitute these maps. “NTIA should not award funds until the FCC’s broadband maps are completed, with challenges adjudicated,” they say. Awarding money before the maps are resolved “could undermine the success of this program.”
They also recommend avoiding overbuilding existing networks, and leaving unserved and underserved communities without connectivity. “Such actions would further exacerbate the digital divide and waste taxpayer dollars,” note lawmakers.
The legislators stress that NTIA should provide an equal opportunity for all broadband providers to compete for grants by not prioritizing municipal networks or networks run by nonprofits or cooperatives, and not favoring certain broadband technologies over others. “The program should consider all technologies that can meet the network requirements at a reasonable cost,” say lawmakers.
NATE Director of Government Relations Todd Washam told Inside Towers that the association appreciates the call for federally funded broadband programs to be technology neutral. As the Infrastructure Law was being drafted, “NATE advocated for the inclusion of all technologies that can help close the digital divide, including fixed wireless and fiber,” he said.
NATE agrees with the legislators that “a technology-inclusive approach will maximize the impact of the funding and efficiently connect more Americans faster,” says Washam.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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