By John Eggerton, Broadcasting & Cable Online, 5-2-19
A bipartisan bill to coordinate the deployment of broadband deployment and funding to areas in need and reduce overbuilding. NCTA-The Internet & Television Association is definitely on board.
The Broadband Interagency Coordination Act is co-sponsored by Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, and committee member Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).
The bill would direct the FCC, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the Department of Agriculture to “enter into a memorandum of understanding to coordinate the distribution of federal funds for broadband deployment.” The legislators said that would reduce overbuilding and “ensure funds are targeted to unserved and underserved areas.”
It would also make the FCC the primary repository for “storing or maintaining access to all broadband deployment data.” » Read More