House Passes Updated Broadband Internet Legislation
The Broadband Census Act of 2007 will improve collection of Broadband data
Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives yesterday passed the Broadband Census Act of 2007, a bill co-sponsored by Congresswoman Heather Wilson that modernizes the way broadband data is collected.
The Broadband Census Act of 2007 provides for a detailed and comprehensive census of broadband availability across the nation. The bill also directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to establish a grant program to assist local communities in assessing their broadband capabilities.
It has become increasingly evident that current data collection methods used by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are inadequate and highly flawed, and for most of the past decade, the FCC has failed to correctly track broadband penetration levels in the United States.
In addition to considering a 200kbps connection broadband, the FCC has consistently stated that if a zip code has just one home or business with broadband service, that zip code is “wired” for broadband. This method has made broadband penetration look better than it is – particularly in rural markets.
The Broadband Census Act of 2007 will improve the quality and quantity of the data the Government collects concerning broadband deployment, as well as facilitate the construction of a nationwide inventory map of broadband facilities. The bill will direct the FCC to conduct periodic consumer surveys concerning broadband adoption and usage and assist local communities in increasing broadband usage and deployment in their areas.
“There is a growing concern that the FCC inadequately collects data on broadband penetration. This legislation will allow the U.S. Government to better gather quality information on broadband services that are being provided,” said Wilson.
“This data can spur broadband deployment, particularly in rural areas of our state. Local and rural communities in New Mexico will benefit from this legislation by providing them with grants to increase broadband usage.”
There is concern that the United States is falling behind internationally in providing high speed internet. At the end of 2006, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said that the United States fell to 15th in the world in providing broadband penetration, a measure of the number of broadband subscribers for every 100 inhabitants.
This bill passed with bi-partisan support and must be approved by the Senate before it can be signed into law.
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