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OCT. 30, 2007 - MARKEY BROADBAND CENSUS BILL APPROVED BY COMMITTEE
Bill will lead to National Broadband Map, Better Data for Policymakers
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation authored by Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), that will provide more and better data about the nature and extent of broadband deployment and consumer adoption in the country. The bill, H.R. 3919, also creates a national, searchable broadband availability map that will allow consumers to find which service providers are available in their areas and authorizes funds for grants to local planning entities to increase broadband deployment and usage on the local level.
Rep. Markey, the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, said, “This legislation reflects the growing consensus – if not unanimity – around the fact that current data collection methods used by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are inadequate and highly flawed. We must have more reliable information about broadband deployment and consumer adoption as a first step in developing any comprehensive blueprint for America's broadband future.
“If America hopes to catch up with the rest of the broadband world, we can't have policymakers flying blind with respect to where service is and isn't deployed, the speeds of such services, and consumer adoption rates. A national, searchable map will assist local communities to assess their own broadband inventory. Moreover, local planning grants will permit such communities to effectively organize to spur deployment and usage of broadband services in local areas,” Markey added.
Also in Committee today, legislation designed to ensure that a consumer calling 911 in an emergency from an Internet phone, using VoIP service, would be connected, also was approved. “I believe that VoIP users should have the same degree of confidence that their call will go through as anyone calling from a traditional phone or wireless service,” Markey said
