MMTC Has Concerns about National Broadband Plan

In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission's Blair Levin, the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council raises seven concerns about the framework for the National Broadband Plan released December 16.

1. SDB and MBE Engagement. The Framework fails to mention market entry barriers affecting SDBs and MBEs. Further, the Framework fails to prioritize the use of Tribal-owned broadband providers in the development of Tribal lands.

2. Present Effects of Past Discrimination. The Framework fails to discuss how the National Broadband Plan will seek to bring broadband to communities—many of which lack basic electricity—where historical racial discrimination and credit redlining persist to this day.

3. The Unique Circumstances of Women. The Framework fails to address the unique circumstances of low-income women, many of whom are minorities seeking to reenter the workforce.

4. Tribal Lands. The Commission's efforts to address broadband in Tribal communities should be more robust. The plan should include a joint Federal/Tribal board to monitor the use of USF funds, a generously increased allocation of spectrum to Tribal lands, and a commitment to ongoing research and mapping of broadband in Tribal lands.

5. Hyper-Targeted Adoption Efforts. The National Broadband Plan should be hypertargeted to specifically address the unique needs of local communities.

6. Education. The Framework does not address the desirability of using E-Rate funds for teacher development, digital literacy for non-adopting businesses and consumers, and home broadband adoption for students.

7. Specific Voting Reforms. The Framework does not address the specific reforms raised by civil rights organizations to improve voter registration, privacy, and online voting in areas predominantly comprised of minority and low-income constituents.