Washington — On Tuesday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to discuss almost two dozen broadband infrastructure bills aimed at laying the groundwork for 5G deployment and higher speed internet access.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association has long supported the removal of regulatory barriers to broadband deployment and supports many of the principles these bills seek to achieve. Many of the bills that will be considered Tuesday, like H.R. 4232, H.R. 4287, H.R. 4795, H.R. 4798, H.R. 4810, H.R. 4817, H.R. 4839, H.R. 4842, H.R. 4847, and H.R. 4858 contain ideas that CCIA has supported, and they merit consideration in the House and the Senate.
According to the OECD, the United States lags behind many of its economic competitors, including many European countries, in broadband access and speeds, so CCIA urges the House and Senate to continue working on common sense reforms in a bipartisan manner so the U.S. can be the world leader on 5G.
CCIA encourages the House and Senate to give broadband a boost for 5G based on six principles it announced Monday for reforming broadband infrastructure (the “B6”). A bipartisan, broadband infrastructure bill should include the following provisions:
- Promoting backhaul deployment and access, including a Dig Once policy as in H.R. 4800;
- Harmonizing shot clocks and promotes deemed granted remedies for wireless siting;
- Updating federal siting processes and promoting greater certainty, including creating an inventory of federal assets that could be available for communications equipment, as in H.R. 4798 and H.R. 4839, and promoting common application forms and cost-based fees for placing communications facilities on federal lands and buildings as in H.R. 4795.
- Addressing pole attachments, including a Climb Once policy as in H.R. 4858;
- Analyzing how broadband deployment and adoption helps the U.S. economy as in S. 645; and
- Providing dedicated funding to promote broadband buildout.
CCIA, an international, tech trade association, has advocated for better internet access and promoting broadband buildout for more than 20 years. The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Ed Black:
“It is important for internet users and businesses to have better access to high speed internet so they can communicate, access information and carry out the transactions that keep our economy running. We are glad to see Congress taking steps to promote 5G and high speed internet access to more people across the country.
“CCIA supports legislation that would streamline regulations, cut red tape and enable businesses to meet the demands for higher speed internet access. As innovators develop everything from smart appliances to self-driving cars, the need for reliable, fast internet access will only grow.
“Our economy needs a boost of B6 so the U.S. can lead the world on 5G. CCIA is offering our plan to energize the nation’s broadband buildout and deliver faster internet access. We look forward to working with Members of Congress on bipartisan reforms that will assure the U.S. leads the way on 5G.”
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