Chairman Pai Opens First Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee Meeting

As members of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee, your mission is to give the Federal Communications Commission recommendations on ways to spur broadband deployment and reduce barriers to investment. One important part of this work, which I previewed last fall, is to develop model codes for state and municipal governments that want to encourage deployment and competitive entry in their jurisdictions. In fact, the BDAC is being asked to develop two model codes—one for municipalities and another for states. In developing each, the goal should be guidelines that are forward-looking and fair, and that balance legitimate interests of state and local governments with the ever-growing demands of the American public for better, faster, and cheaper broadband. I look forward to seeing how you approach this challenge.

The BDAC will also be asked to make recommendations on how to promote competitive access to broadband infrastructure, including utility poles. Another key issue is speeding up broadband deployment on Federal lands. The BDAC has a lot of work ahead of it. But I’m certain that this distinguished group is more than up to the task. And in the coming weeks, I expect to appoint more qualified nominees to round out the working groups, lending further support to the cause.