DTV, Broadband Access Top Agenda for Boucher

New House Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher (D-VA) will first focus on the impending transition to digital-only television broadcasting. Network Neutrality legislation isn't his top priority, Chairman Boucher says, although he says the committee could focus on Internet openness among wireless providers, who've successfully argued so far that airwaves constraints require them to selectively block some services, like file sharing services. Saying there's "a broad consensus on how to move forward," with reforming the $7 billion a year Universal Service Fund, Chairman Boucher says he'd like to take another crack at USF reform this year. He introduced a bill two years ago that would have capped the fund and opened up the fund to give telecom companies funds to provide broadband services in rural areas (see link below). He'd also like to move legislation that would allow communities to provide broadband services to local residents. He'd also like to see increased funding for the Department of Agriculture's Rural Development programs, which gives grants and loans to communities for building out broadband services.