Boucher: Broadband Deployment Will Be Priority

House Communications, Technology & Internet Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) says that broadband deployment will be his priority as head of the subcommittee, and will push for requiring satellite companies to carry all local TV stations. said the good news is that the stimulus package contains about $6.9 billion for broadband deployment. He said that for the sake of the economy, the country needs to increase broadband deployment, particularly in rural areas. Chairman Boucher said his first hearing as chairman would be on reauthorization of the Satellite Home Viewer Act, which allows satellite companies to import distant network signals to viewers who cannot receive a similar local signal. Chairman Boucher said that, as part of that reauthorization, he would like to require that satellite operators carry local TV stations in all markets, including the 30, mostly rural, markets, where satellite operators do not carry the local stations. He also said he would be overseeing the National Telecommunications & Information Administration and Rural Development Agency as they hand out the broadband grant money in the economic stimulus package, which is expected to be passed next week.