Democratic Senators Have Business Data Service Reform Issues

A group of Democratic Sens are urging the Federal Communications Commission to factor in more recent cable business data service (BDS) information into their calculation for revamping its rules on business broadband service.That came in a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, according to the Invest in Broadband for America coalition, which was formed to urge the FCC to "get its facts right" before proceeding.

In their letter, the senators, from rural states, said: “As you work toward a final rule, it is especially important for the Commission to use all the available data, including the data submitted earlier this year by the major cable operators, to both measure competitive markets accurately and ensure that the regulations for noncompetitive markets are based on the real cost to provide service, especially in low-density, high cost rural markets.” Signing on to the letter were Sens Jon Tester (D-MT), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bob Casey (D-PA), Angus King Jr. (I-ME), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).