By Rob Dumke
U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Republican Leader Bob Latta (Ohio) have just paid a trip to the White House.
Why? To talk about the “American Broadband Act” — a topic broadcasting executives may wish to pay more attention to, given the rapid growth of streaming audio and Connected TV/OTT platforms.
In a statement following the trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the Representatives expressed concern that the proposals from the Biden Administration promote what they believe are inefficient solutions.
“Instead of working to increase access to broadband for all Americans, they are prioritizing
inefficient—and often poorly managed—government-run networks, providing subsidies in the absence of accurate broadband mapping data, and establishing duplicative Federal programs,” Latta and Rodgers said.
In addition, “the administration is creating arbitrary speed requirements that merely lead to
upgrades in areas that already have service. This will delay truly unserved communities from accessing reliable, high speed broadband.”
The visit follows in the wake of legislation being introduced last week (5/20) to close the digital divide in America. Both sides of the aisle are looking for “bi-partisian” support on a measure to bring Broadband to underserved areas of the nation. But as RBR+TVBR reported last week, the bickering is far from over.
