The Biden administration is urging the FCC to adopt strong rules to address shortfalls in broadband service. Bloomberg reports the position sets up a potential clash with large broadband providers, who caution the agency against unneeded regulations. The Commission hopes to produce rules by next month.
Clear rules are needed to close the digital divide that leaves millions without adequate broadband, said the NTIA, which advises the White House on tech policy. “Strong rules are needed to remedy unequal access to internet service, no matter what the cause may be,” said NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. “Rules that combat digital discrimination will bring lasting relief to vulnerable communities that historically have been left behind online.”
The FCC is considering regulations to prevent and eliminate digital discrimination of access based on income level, race and other factors, according to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
Broadband advocates have told the agency they want changes that will steer spending into cities. Some urban neighborhoods have suffered from disinvestment that dates back decades to redlining. Many of those areas haven’t seen network upgrades.
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) in a filing, warned the FCC against a “radical proposal for a new era of command-and-control regulation of a major U.S. economic sector.” Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) told providers’ that “the commission should not commandeer investment decision-making.” USTelecom-The Broadband Association, the industry group representing scores of companies, urged regulators to refrain from “new and unnecessary regulations.”
Separately, the FCC is ready to consider net neutrality rules at its meeting later this month that would restore authority to regulate broadband, Inside Towers reported. Those regulations would allow the Commission to require broadband providers to report and address internet outages, like the FCC does for voice service today, the agency said Thursday.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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