Resounding Silence: The Need for Local Insights in Federal Broadband Policymaking

In the past, the Federal Communication Commission has made sweeping changes that have impacted communities without local input. The federal government is now poised to do the same again. This paper examines the public comment process at the FCC and whether municipal filers ultimately influence the Commission’s decisions. This paper suggests that the FCC must improve its community outreach efforts, specifically through the following suggestions: 

• Fully Staff the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs: Appointing a permanent chief and the necessary associate and deputy chiefs will give the OIA the leadership to plan and execute the outreach programs needed to spread awareness of FCC programs.
• Appoint More Local Officials to Commission Advisory Committees: Ensuring that there are a designated number of seats available for industry, state, local, Tribal, and other potential stakeholders could increase the likelihood that all opinions can be heard and considered fairly.
• Provide Direction on the Substantive and Procedural Requirements for Filing Comments: Many communities unfamiliar with the process may struggle to understand whether the letter they intend to submit will be considered due to improper formatting. A brief explanation of what is expected could help ameliorate those potential concerns.

Ultimately, the paper posits that these recommendations combined help to ensure that the FCC uses its administrative resources to conduct necessary outreach and fulfills its promise to collaborate with communities nationwide