Sens Rosen, Capito Reintroduce Bipartisan Broadband Parity Act to Improve Nation’s Broadband Services

Sens Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) re-introduced the Broadband Parity Act (S. 1884), bipartisan legislation directing the Federal Communications Commission to coordinate with Federal agencies to establish a baseline level of service internet providers must provide customers when offering service via a federal broadband support program in order to increase access to uniform and reliable internet service. The bill would direct the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Agriculture, the United States Department of Commerce, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and any other agency that provides broadband assistance for fixed broadband service (i.e. cable, fiber) to consult together in order for the Commission to conduct a rulemaking to establish a baseline level of service for broadband service assisted by federal support. Under this legislation, after the FCC establishes a baseline level of internet service through a rulemaking, federal agencies may only provide federal assistance if a program supports internet service that meets or exceeds, or will meet or exceed, that baseline when that service is deployed. The minimum level of service will ensure that it can support virtual learning, telehealth services, and telework. The legislation is prospective and would not impact projects begun or awards made before the date of enactment of the act.