Inouye Introduces Broadband Data Bill

INOUYE INTRODUCES BROADBAND DATA BILL
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) introduced a bill that would require the FCC to collect better data on the rollout of broadband. The bill -- the Broadband Data Improvement Act (S. 1492) -- would require the FCC to reconsider its current 200 kilobit broadband standard, create a new "second generation broadband figure for speeds capable of delivering HD video, require the FCC to report broadband availability by nine-digit zip codes so that it could more precisely pinpoint who was and wasn't getting the service, and require an annual, rather than periodic, inquiry into deployment. The bill would also provide $40 million in yearly grants to match state investment in identifying barriers to broadband adoption. The House last week held a hearing on a draft of a similar bill.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6446448.html?rssid=193

* Senate Democrats Want Better Broadband Data
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6446465.html?rssid=196

* Chairman Inouye's press release
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=248822&Month=5&Year=2007