Closing the Digital Divide: Broadband Infrastructure Solutions

Subcommittee on Communications and Technology

House Commerce Committee 

Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - 4:00pm

Witnesses

Jonathan Spalter 
President and CEO, USTelecom

Brad Gillen 

Executive Vice President, CTIA

Matthew Polka 

President and CEO, American Cable Association

Nancy White 
President and CEO, North Central Telephone Cooperative, Inc.

Agenda

The hearing will focus a path forward for improving broadband infrastructure in rural America. The following legislation will be discussed:

  • H.Res. 687, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Federal, State, and local taxes, fees, regulations, and permitting policies should be coordinated and reconciled to maximize the benefits of broadband investment.
  • H.Res. 689, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that any infrastructure legislation that provides Federal funds to wireless broadband providers to promote wireless broadband deployment should prioritize funds for wireless broadband providers in States that have enacted streamlined siting requirements for small cells.
  • H.Res. 690, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that no Federal funds granted, awarded, or loaned pursuant to any legislation, infrastructurespecific or otherwise, should be used to fund the construction, improvement, or acquisition of broadband facilities or service in areas where there is an existing broadband provider that meets certain minimum standards.
  • H.Res. 691, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that any infrastructure legislation to promote broadband internet access or communications facilities deployment should treat all broadband and communications facilities in a competitively and technologically neutral manner.
  • H.Res. 701, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that with respect to any study required to be conducted by the Federal Communications Commission, or any entity regulated by the Commission under the Federal Communications Act of 1934, under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 or division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code (formerly known as the National Historic Preservation Act), for the provision of broadband infrastructure, the area to be studied should be limited to the area of impact.
  • H.R. 4795, Communications Facilities Deployment on Federal Property Act of 2018
  • H.R. 4798, Inventory of Assets for Communications Facilities Act of 2018
  • H.R. 4802, Streamlining and Expediting Approval for Communications Technologies Act
  • H.R. 4810, Making Available Plans to Promote Investment in Next Generation Networks without Overbuilding and Waste (MAPPING NOW) Act of 2018
  • H.R. 4813, Wireless Internet Focus on Innovation in Spectrum Technology for Unlicensed Deployment (WIFI STUDy) Act
  • H.R. 4814, Community Broadband Act of 2018
  • H.R. 4817, Promoting Exchanges for Enhanced Routing of Information so Networks are Great (PEERING) Act of 2018
  • H.R. 4832, Restoring Economic Strength and Telecommunications Operations by Releasing Expected Dollars (RESTORED) Act of 2018
  • H.R. 4842, Streamlining Permitting to Enable Efficient Deployment of Broadband Infrastructure (SPEED) Act of 2018
  • H.R. 4845, Connecting Communities Post Disasters Act of 2018
  • H.R. 4847, Broadband Deployment Streamlining Act
  • H.R. 4858, Clearing Local Impediments Makes Broadband Open to New Competition and Enhancements (CLIMB ONCE) Act
  • H.R. 2479, Leading Infrastructure for Tomorrow’s America (LIFT) Act
  • H.R. 3994, Advancing Critical Connectivity Expands Service, Small Business Resources, Opportunities, Access, and Data Based on Assessed Need and Demand (ACCESS BROADBAND) Act
  • H.R. 4287, Broadband Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act


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