Legislators push for measuring broadband deployment

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) introduced a bill to improve the collection of data on Americans’ access to broadband connections, which he said was a first step to improving the United States’ lagging stature in the global high-speed Internet space.
“In a digital age, the world will not wait for us. It is imperative that we get our broadband house in order and our communications policy right. But we cannot manage what we do not measure,” stated Inouye.
The measure is co-sponsored by five other Democratic committee members. A similar bill is being drafted by House telecom and Internet subcommittee Chairman Edward Markey (D-Mass.).
“We know we need to broaden access to the Internet and bring all American businesses, homes, schools and emergency systems into the 21st century,” said Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.). “But making a blind investment is not making a smart investment. This is about expanding access effectively, with a policy that strengthens service in the areas that truly need it to stay competitive.”
The push is notable for the wireless industry since 3G data connections could be counted alongside DSL and cable connections.
President Bush, who two years ago called for universal, affordable broadband service for all Americans by this year, has come under increasing criticism over U.S. slippage in global rankings of broadband deployment. The administration claims the rankings are skewed.
The Telecommunications Industry Association, which represents wireless and wireline telecom manufacturers, said it supports the broadband data legislation.
Among other things, the Senate bill would:
–Direct the Federal Communications Commission to reevaluate its current 200 kilobit broadband standard. It also would require the FCC to create a new metric known as “second generation broadband” to be used to reflect network connections capable of reliably transmitting high-definition video content.
–Direct the FCC to conduct inquiries into the deployment of advanced telecommunications services on an annual, rather than periodic, basis.
–Direct the Census Bureau to include a question in its American Community Survey that assesses levels of residential computer use and dial-up versus broadband Internet subscribership.
–Authorize a five-year, $40 million per year program that would provide matching grants to state non-profit, public-private partnerships in support of efforts to more accurately identify barriers to broadband adoption.
In a separate action, Inouye and co-chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) introduced a bill to create a communications research and development program within the National Science Foundation. The bill also requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the FCC to accelerate a spectrum pilot program, though the two agencies already are pursing an initiative to promote sharing government and non-government frequencies.
“The bill is a clear endorsement of work already under way as part of the president’s spectrum initiative,” said John Kneuer, chief of NTIA, a unit of the Commerce Department. “I look forward to working with Chairman Inouye, Senator Stevens and their staffs on spectrum policies that promote innovation, investment and American competitiveness.”