Klobuchar, Gillibrand, Begich introduce bill to release more broadband data to public

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Sens Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Mark Begich (D-Alaska) took the cue from the FCC's limited release of its National Broadband Plan to introduce their own legislation to make broadband data more transparent for consumers.

The legislation would make broadband service providers reveal the actual speeds consumers should expect to receive. The bill requires the FCC to develop uniform performance standards to consumers can compare the speeds advertised with the speeds they actually receive. The FCC's plan recommends collecting more detailed and accurate data on actual availability, penetration, prices and bundles offered by broadband providers. The FCC would undertake a rulemaking to find ways to make that information public. Currently, that information is considered "proprietary" by companies like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast, and is blocked from public view. This practice, the FCC says, will enhance competition and give consumers more information about the choices available to them.


Klobuchar, Gillibrand, Begich introduce bill to release more broadband data to public