Email Tom

  • USAGOV12.jpg

E-news updates

Working For Maine

Telecommunications

Return to Issues

DTV Transition

*television stations must switch to all-digital broadcasting on February 17, 2009*



Rep. Allen wants to ensure that consumers get access to the benefits of digital television, and that viewers with conventional analog sets don’t see their TVs go dark.

For more information click here


Rep. Allen serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over telecommunications laws. Maintaining and strengthening the world’s most advanced telecommunications system is critical to America’s productivity and the competitiveness of our economy in the future. Rep. Allen supports efforts to bridge the digital divide so that every American has access to affordable broadband or other high speed Internet service and communications technology.

Rep. Allen continues to work to provide communications services to everyone in Maine and the nation. He advocates a combination of regulatory changes to attract private and public investment to ensure that rural and underserved communities are served. He also believes we must protect and enhance the Universal Service Fund, which helps ensure phone access to rural and underserved communities in Maine and around the nation, and the E-rate program to bring Internet access to schools and libraries.

Rep. Allen is also working to help first responders communicate in a crisis by dedicating analog spectrum to these purposes, and by funding grant programs to promote interoperability of first responder communications equipment. He believes we must protect consumers’ interests, including the anti-telemarketer Do Not Call list, and supports legislation to protect individuals' personal data from illegal distribution.

Legislation

Broadband Development

Despite the Administration’s assertion that the nation is fully connected, broadband access remains spotty in rural areas and even those areas with access to broadband services do not have consumers taking full advantage of the access due to costs. Rep. Allen introduced H.R. 5682, the Rural America Communication Expansion for the Future Act of 2008, which addresses several key challenges. The bill provides tax incentives for broadband deployment, provides a $10,000 tax credit for businesses to deploy wireless broadband technology in areas where broadband would be beneficial, such as very rural parts of northern and eastern Maine, and provides grants to municipalities for broadband network creation. The bill also reauthorizes the USDA’s Rural Broadband Programs, expands the Telehealth Network Grants Program, and expands the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant Program. Rep. Allen’s bill has been referred to three House Committees for consideration.

Media Consolidation

Rep. Allen views high-tech equipment at telecommunications provider Oxford Network’s Lewiston facility on Lisbon Street.
Rep. Allen is continuing to fight consolidation in the media, which threatens to reduce diversity in content and undermine our democracy. He is a cosponsor of H.J.Res. 79, a resolution disapproving the FCC’s rule on media ownership.

telecommunications.jpg
Rep. Allen views high-tech equipment at telecommunications provider Oxford Network’s Lewiston facility on Lisbon Street.

Press Releases

Articles

Documents and Links
Letter to the Chairman of the FCC about Media Ownership Rules