US Chamber Releases Recommendations for Closing the Digital Divide in Rural America

The US Chamber of Commerce’s Technology Engagement Center (C_TEC) released nine policy principles aimed at closing America’s digital divide. The principles include policy recommendations for funding high-cost broadband, bridging the homework gap, expanding telehealth, and reducing permitting barriers to expand connectivity. The policy principles were developed by C_TEC’s Telecommunications & E-Commerce Policy Committee, a group of 90 companies and trade associations representing wireless and wireline carriers, satellite providers, broadcasters, technology companies and other stakeholders. 

 Broadband Funding Principles

1. Technology Neutrality: Allow all technologies [and providers] to compete for funds to serve truly unserved areas, prohibit duplicative funding, and establish funding programs without existing Section 254 limitations, such as existing ETC requirements. 
2. Collocation: Support collocation by enabling funds to be used for leasing tower space in addition to capital expenditures.
3. Speed to Market: In a COVID environment, speed matters and funding should be distributed to those who can stand up broadband network quickly. 

 Homework Gap Principles

1. Funding Source: Fund out of general appropriations, not universal service contributions.
2. Program Design: A separate program from E-rate, but to the extent FCC finds useful it can borrow E-rate rules.
3. Targeted and Temporary:  The program should last for only the duration of the national emergency and be targeted to low-income households without a home broadband connection or in jeopardy of losing their broadband connection, including related equipment and/or a computer (laptop, tablet, or desktop computer).
4. Technology Neutrality: Allow any technology.
5. Eligibility: Limited to; 1) connectivity (wired or wireless), 2) service equipment (e.g. modems, routers, hotspots), and 3) devices (e.g. tablets/computers/smartphones).

In addition to these policy principles, the Chamber is also calling on Congress to address permitting relief that will encourage deployment. Today’s permitting hurdles, including overly-burdensome fees, are hindering broadband buildout and reform would provide much-needed certainty.