Will the US Invest in Next Generation Broadband?

[Commentary] The Senate Commerce Committee held three hearings this week on infrastructure. On March 14, the Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet Subcommittee looked at broadband deployment in a hearing titled “Rebuilding Infrastructure in America: Investing in Next Generation Broadband.” The hearing explored the most effective and efficient ways to address broadband deployment to close the digital divide, including reviewing President Donald Trump’s recent infrastructure proposal.  Besides continuing the debate over whether the proposal should contain specific-broadband funding, the hearing also examined the Federal Communications Commission’s collection of broadband data and the role of local and state regulators in the deployment of the next generation of wireless services, 5G.