The Congressional Bill That Would Save Community Broadband Networks Nationwide

House Communications Subcommittee Ranking Member Anna Eshoo (D-CA) introduced federal legislation to help communities across the country develop locally-controlled communications networks, setting up a fierce battle with anti-municipal broadband Republican Reps in Congress. The Community Broadband Act of 2016 is designed to accompany a similar Senate measure backed by Sens Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), along with several of their colleagues. Ranking Member Eshoo’s legislation comes one month after a federal court ruled that the Federal Communications Commission lacks the authority to preempt Comcast and AT&T-backed state laws that pose barriers to community broadband development.

“I’m disappointed that a recent court ruling blocked the FCC’s efforts to allow local communities to decide for themselves how best to ensure that their residents have broadband access,” Rep Eshoo said. “This legislation clears the way for local communities to make their own decisions instead of powerful special interests in state capitals.” Rep Eshoo’s bill faces steep odds of success as long as Republicans control Congress, but it nevertheless represents an important development in the nationwide movement to help local communities build their own broadband networks in order to lower prices, boost speeds, and increase competition. Rep Eshoo’s legislation would block any state law that prohibits a city, municipality or public utility from providing “advanced telecommunications capability.” Nearly two dozen states have passed such laws, often at the behest of the nation’s largest cable and phone companies, including Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T, as my colleague Jason Koebler has documented.