Today's Regulatory Mix: Energy and Commerce GOP Leaders Unveil the “Boosting Broadband Connectivity” Agenda, FCC Commissioner Carr Praises House Committee’s Broadband Connectivity Agenda,  NARUC Resolution: Scrutinize RDOF Winners 

Energy and Commerce GOP Leaders Unveil the “Boosting Broadband Connectivity” Agenda 

House Energy and Commerce Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Republican Subcommittee Leader for Communications and Technology Bob Latta (R-OH) issued the following statement on a comprehensive package of 28 bills that aim to turbocharge public and private investment by promoting new and upgraded infrastructure deployments, boosting competition, streamlining permitting processes, facilitating broadband deployment on federal lands, and closing the digital divide in both rural and urban areas. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the challenges faced by families and workers who still do not have reliable access to the internet. This has prevented millions from accessing vital health care, remote work, and economic resources. Unreliable internet and limited broadband access has also set countless children back in school because of connectivity issues while far too many schools remain closed. It’s unacceptable and hurting the next generation. To make a strong comeback from this pandemic, every House Republican on Energy and Commerce is leading in the Boosting Broadband Connectivity Agenda so America closes the digital divide. This agenda will get education back on track and promote economic opportunity for all Americans across the entire country.” 

See press release here. 

FCC Commissioner Carr Praises US House Committee’s Broadband Connectivity Agenda  

A legislative package consisting of 28 bills designed to boost competition and advance connectivity was presented by the House Energy and Commerce Committee today.  In a statement released by the FCC, Commission Brendan Carr said, “I applaud their leadership and would encourage everyone that wants better, faster, and cheaper Internet services to work towards passing this important set of reforms.” 

NARUC Resolution: Scrutinize RDOF Winners 

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) passed a resolution encouraging the FCC to scrutinize the long-form applications submitted by provisional winners of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) auction.  The FCC will be reviewing technical, financial, and managerial information submitted by each RDOF support winner to ensure the provider in fact possesses the skills, capabilities, and resources to deliver the services pledged. 

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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of an Inteserra Briefing.