UPDATED: Broadband data collection bill approved by Congress

Providing universal broadband may very well start with simply finding out who has broadband access and who doesn't. The House of Representatives on Monday passed a bill that could help answer that question by improving broadband data collection. Passed unanimously in the Senate on Thursday, the Broadband Data Improvement Act received minor, technical amendments from the House and was returned to the Senate for approval. The Senate is expected to approve it by unanimous consent and send it to President Bush for his signature.The legislation, introduced by Sen Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) in 2007, calls for the Federal Communications Commission to collect a broader swath of information regarding who has broadband access. The commission would also be required to identify tiers of broadband service in which most connections can transmit high-definition video, as well as collect demographic data for geographical areas not served by any advanced telecommunications provider. The bill also requires other government offices to collect information, such as whether Internet subscribers use dial-up or broadband. The bill also establishes a grant program for organizations to track and promote Internet usage.

Update: Congress passes bill aimed at measuring Internet access
Congress has passed legislation that will require the government to keep closer tabs on who has access to the Internet and who does not. Supporters hope the Broadband Data Improvement Act will help policymakers better identify areas of the country that are falling behind when it comes to high-speed Internet access. The bill passed both houses of Congress, with the Senate approving a final version Tuesday on a voice vote.
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