Broadband Internet Regulation and Access: Background and Issues

Broadband Internet Regulation and Access:
Background and Issues
Updated November 21, 2008
Angele A. Gilroy
Specialist in Telecommunications
Resources, Science, and Industry Division
Lennard G. Kruger
Specialist in Science and Technology
Resources, Science, and Industry Division



Broadband Internet Regulation and Access:
Background and Issues
Summary
Broadband or high-speed Internet access is provided by a series of technologies
that give users the ability to send and receive data at volumes and speeds far greater
than Internet access over traditional telephone lines. In addition to offering speed,
broadband access provides a continuous, “always on” connection and the ability to
both receive (download) and transmit (upload) data at high speeds. Broadband
access, along with the content and services it might enable, has the potential to
transform the Internet: both what it offers and how it is used. It is possible that many
of the future applications that will best exploit the technological capabilities of
broadband have yet to be developed. There are multiple transmission media or
technologies that can be used to provide broadband access. These include cable; an
enhanced telephone service called digital subscriber line (DSL); fiber-to-the-home
(FTTH); satellite, mobile, and fixed wireless (including “wi-fi” and “Wi-Max”);
broadband over powerlines (BPL); and others.
From a public policy perspective, the goals are to ensure that broadband
deployment is timely and contributes to the nation’s economic growth, that industry
competes fairly, and that affordable and high-quality service is provided to all sectors
and geographical locations of American society. The federal government — through
Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) — is seeking to
ensure fair competition among the players so that broadband will be available and
affordable in a timely manner to all Americans who want it.
Some areas of the nation — particularly rural and low-income communities —
continue to lack full access to high-speed broadband Internet service. In order to
address this problem, the 110th Congress is examining a wide range of issues
including the scope and effect of federal broadband financial assistance programs
(including universal service and the broadband programs at the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service), the adequacy of broadband data collection by
the FCC, and the impact of telecommunications regulation and new technologies on
broadband deployment. One facet of the debate over broadband services focuses on
whether present laws and subsequent regulatory policies are needed to ensure the
development of competition and its subsequent consumer benefits, or conversely,
whether such laws and regulations are overly burdensome and discourage investment
in and deployment of broadband services.
This report which will be updated as events warrant.



Contents
What Is Broadband and Why Is It Important?............................1
Broadband Technologies............................................1
Cable .......................................................2
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)....................................2
Wireless .....................................................2
Fiber ........................................................3
Satellite .....................................................3
Status of Broadband Deployment.....................................3
Access to Broadband and the “Digital Divide”...........................5
FCC Activities................................................6
Administration Activities........................................7
Regulation and Broadband: Convergence and the Changing Marketplace......8
Activities in the 109th Congress.......................................9
Activities in the 110th Congress......................................12



Broadband Internet Regulation and Access:
Background and Issues
What Is Broadband and Why Is It Important?
Broadband or high-speed Internet access is provided by a series of technologies
that give users the ability to send and receive data at volumes and speeds far greater
than Internet access over traditional telephone lines. Currently, a number of
telecommunications companies are developing, installing, and marketing specific
technologies and services to provide broadband access to the home. Meanwhile, the
federal government — through Congress and the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) — is seeking to ensure fair competition among the players so
that broadband will be available and affordable in a timely manner to all Americans
who want it.
Broadband is being increasingly viewed as a vital public infrastructure,
significant to the nation’s (and to individual regional, state, and local) economic
growth and vitality. Broadband access, along with the content and services it enables,
has the potential to transform the Internet — both what it offers and how it is used.
For example, a two-way high speed connection could be used for interactive
applications such as online classrooms, showrooms, or health clinics, where teacher
and student (or customer and salesperson, doctor and patient) can see and hear each
other through their computers. An “always on” connection could be used to monitor
home security, home automation, or even patient health remotely through the Web.
The high speed and high volume that broadband offers could also be used for
bundled service where, for example, cable television, video on demand, voice, data,
and other services are all offered over a single line. In truth, it is possible that many
of the applications that will best exploit the technological capabilities of broadband,
while also capturing the imagination of consumers, have yet to be developed.
Broadband Technologies
There are multiple transmission media or technologies that can be used to
provide broadband access. These include cable modem, an enhanced telephone
service called digital subscriber line (DSL), satellite technology, fiber, mobile or
fixed wireless technologies, and others. Cable and DSL are currently the most widely
used technologies for providing broadband access. Both require the modification of
an existing physical infrastructure that is already connected to the home (i.e., cable
television and telephone lines). Each technology has its respective advantages and
disadvantages, and competes with each other based on performance, price, quality of



service, geography, user friendliness, and other factors. The following sections
summarize cable, DSL, and other broadband technologies.
Cable
The same cable network that currently provides television service to consumers
is being modified to provide broadband access. Because cable networks are shared
by users, access speeds can decrease during peak usage hours, when bandwidth is
being shared by many customers at the same time. Network sharing has also led to
security concerns and fears that hackers might be able to eavesdrop on a neighbor’s
Internet connection. The cable industry is developing “next generation” technology
which will significantly extend downloading and uploading speeds.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
DSL is a modem technology that converts existing copper telephone lines into
two-way high speed data conduits. Speeds can depend on the condition of the
telephone wire and the distance between the home and the telephone company’s
central office (i.e., the building that houses telephone switching equipment). Because
DSL uses frequencies much higher than those used for voice communication, both
voice and data can be sent over the same telephone line. Thus, customers can talk
on their telephone while they are online, and voice service will continue even if the
DSL service goes down. Like cable broadband technology, a DSL line is “always
on” with no dial-up required. Unlike cable, however, DSL has the advantage of
being unshared between the customer and the central office. Thus, data transmission
speeds will not necessarily decrease during periods of heavy local Internet use. A
disadvantage relative to cable is that DSL deployment is constrained by the distance
between the subscriber and the central office. DSL technology over a copper wire
only works within 18,000 feet (about three miles) of a central office facility.
However, DSL providers are deploying technology to further increase deployment
range. One option is to install “remote terminals” which can serve areas farther than
three miles from the central office.
Wireless
Mobile or fixed wireless systems transmit data over the airwaves from towers
or antennas to a receiver. Mobile wireless broadband services (also referred to as
third generation or “3G”) allow consumers to get broadband access over cell phones,1
PDAs, or wireless modem cards connected to a laptop. The FCC has auctioned
frequencies currently occupied by broadcast channels 52-69. These and other
frequencies in the 700 MHZ band are possible candidates for wireless broadband
applications. A number of wireless technologies, corresponding to different parts of
the electromagnetic spectrum, also have potential. These include the upperbands
(above 24GHz), the lowerbands (multipoint distribution service or MDS, below 3
GHz), broadband personal communications services (PCS), wireless communications
service (2.3 GHz), and unlicenced spectrum. Unlicensed spectrum is being


1 For further information, see CRS Report RS20993, Wireless Technology and Spectrum
Demand: Advanced Wireless Services, by Linda K. Moore.

increasingly used to provide high-speed short-distance wireless access (popularly
called “wi-fi”) to local area networks, particularly in urban areas where wired
broadband connections already exist. A new and developing wireless broadband
technology (called “WiMax”) has the capability to transmit signals over much larger
areas.
Fiber
Another broadband technology is optical fiber to the home (FTTH). Optical
fiber cable, already used by businesses as high speed links for long distance voice and
data traffic, has tremendous data capacity, with transmission speeds dramatically
higher than what is offered by cable modem or DSL broadband technology. While
the high cost of installing optical fiber in or near users’ homes has been a major
barrier to the deployment of FTTH, both Verizon and AT&T (formerly SBC) are
rolling out fiber-based architectures that will offer consumers voice, video, and high-
speed data (sometimes referred to as a “triple play”). Some public utilities are also
exploring or beginning to offer broadband access via fiber inside their existing
conduits. Additionally, some companies are investigating the feasibility of
transmitting data over power lines, which are already ubiquitous in people’s homes.2
Satellite
Satellite broadband Internet service is currently being offered by three providers:
Hughes Network Systems (DirecWay), Starband (Spacenet Inc.) and WildBlue. Like
cable, satellite is a shared medium, meaning that privacy may be compromised and
performance speeds may vary depending upon the volume of simultaneous use.
Another disadvantage of Internet -over-satellite is its susceptibility to disruption in
bad weather. On the other hand, the big advantage of satellite is its universal
availability. Whereas cable or DSL is not available to some parts of the United
States, satellite connections can be accessed by anyone with a satellite dish facing the
southern sky. This makes satellite Internet access a possible solution for rural or
remote areas not served by other technologies.
Status of Broadband Deployment
According to the latest FCC data on the deployment of high-speed Internet
connections (released March 2008), as of June 30, 2007, there were 100.9 million
high speed lines connecting homes and businesses to the Internet in the United States,
a growth rate of 22% during the first half of 2007. Of the 100.9 million high speed
lines reported by the FCC, 65.9 million serve residential users.3 While the broadband


2 For further information, see CRS Report RL32421, Broadband Over Power Lines:
Regulatory and Policy Issues, by Patricia Moloney Figliola.
3 FCC, High-Speed Services for Internet Access: Status as of June 30, 2007, March 2008.
Available at [http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-280906A1.pdf]

adoption rate stands at roughly 58% of U.S. households,4 broadband availability is
much higher. As of June 30, 2007, the FCC found at least one high-speed subscriber
in 99% of all zip codes in the United States. The FCC estimates that “roughly 20
percent of consumers with access to advanced telecommunications capability do
subscribe to such services.” According to the FCC, possible reasons for the gap
between broadband availability and subscribership include the lack of computers in
some homes, price of broadband service, lack of content, and the availability of
broadband at work.5
According to the International Telecommunications Union, the U.S. ranks 24th
worldwide in broadband penetration (subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in 2007).6
Data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
found the U.S. ranking 15th among OECD nations in broadband access per 100
inhabitants as of December 2007.7 By contrast, in 2001 an OECD study found the
U.S. ranking 4th in broadband subscribership per 100 inhabitants (after Korea,
Sweden, and Canada).8 While many argue that the U.S. declining performance in
international broadband rankings is a cause for concern,9 others — including the
Administration — maintain that the OECD and ITU data undercount U.S. broadband
deployment,10 and that cross-country broadband deployment comparisons are not
necessarily meaningful and inherently problematic.11 Finally, an issue related to


4 Percentage assumes one high speed line per household, 65.9 million residential high speed
lines (per June 30, 2007 FCC data) and 114 million households in the U.S. (2006 Census
data, see [http://www.census.gov/prod/2007pubs/08abstract/pop.pdf] ).
5 Federal Communications Commission, Fourth Report to Congress, “Availability of
Advanced Telecommunications Capability in the United States,” GN Docket No. 04-54,
FCC 04-208, September 9, 2004, p. 38. Available at [http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs
_public/attachma tch/FCC-04-208A1.pdf]
6 International Telecommunications Union, Economies by broadband penetration, 2007.
Available at [http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/at_glance/top20_broad_2007.html].
7 OECD, OECD Broadband Statistics, December 2007. Available at
[http://www.oecd.org/ sti/ict/broadband].
8 OECD, Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry, The Development of Broadband
Access in OECD Countries, October 29, 2001, 63 pages. For a comparison of government
broadband policies, also see OECD, Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry,
Broadband Infrastructure Deployment: The Role of Government Assistance, May 22, 2002,

42 p.


9 See Turner, Derek S., Free Press, Broadband Reality Check II: The Truth Behind
America’s Digital Divide, August 2006, pp 8-11. Available at [http://www.freepress.net/
files/bbrc2-final.pdf]; and Turner, Derek S., Free Press, ‘Shooting the Messenger’ Myth vs.
Reality: U.S. Broadband Policy and International Broadband Rankings, July 2007, 25 p.,
available at [http://www.freepress.net/files/shooting_the_messenger.pdf].
10 National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Fact Sheet: United States
Maintains Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Leadership and Economic
Strength, available at [http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/press/2007/ICTleader
_042407.html].
11 See Wallsten, Scott, Progress and Freedom Foundation, Towards Effective U.S.
(continued...)

international broadband rankings is the extent to which broadband speeds and prices
differ between the U.S. and the rest of the world.12
Access to Broadband and the “Digital Divide”13
While the number of new broadband subscribers continues to grow, the rate of
broadband deployment in urban and high income areas appears to be outpacing
deployment in rural and low-income areas. According to the latest FCC data on the
deployment of high-speed Internet connections (released March 2008), high-speed
subscribers were reported in 99% of the most densely populated zip codes, as
opposed to 91% of zip codes with the lowest population densities. Similarly, for zip
codes ranked by median family income, high-speed subscribers were reported present
in 99% of the top one-tenth of zip codes, as compared to 92% of the bottom one-
tenth of zip codes.14
Similarly, 2008 data from the Pew Internet & American Life Project indicate
that while broadband adoption is growing in urban, suburban, and rural areas,
broadband users make up larger percentages of urban and suburban users than rural
users. Pew found that the percentage of all U.S. adults with broadband at home is

60% for suburban areas, 57% for urban areas, and 38% for rural areas.15


Some policymakers assert that disparities in broadband access across American
society could have adverse consequences on those left behind. Many believe that
advanced Internet applications — voice over the Internet protocol (VoIP) or high
quality video, for example — and the resulting ability for businesses and consumers


11 (...continued)
Broadband Policies, May 2007, 19 pages. Available at [http://www.pff.org/issues
-pubs/pops/pop14.7usbroadbandpolicy.pdf]. Also see Ford, George, Phoenix Center, The
Broadband Performance Index: A Policy-Relevant Method of Comparing Broadband
Adoption Among Countries, Phoenix Center Policy Paper Number 29, July 2007, 32 pp.
Available at [http://www.phoenix-center.org/pcpp/PCPP29Final.pdf].
12 See price and services and speed data on OECD Broadband Portal, available at
[http://www.oecd.org/sti/ict/broadband]; Turner, Derek S., Free Press, Broadband Reality
Check II: The Truth Behind America’s Digital Divide, August 2006, pp 5-9; Kende,
Michael, Analysis Consulting Limited, Survey of International Broadband Offerings,
October 4, 2006, 12 pages, available at [http://www.analysys.com/pdfs/
BroadbandPerformanceSurvey.pdf]; and Correa, Daniel K., The International Technology
and Innovation Foundation, Assessing Broadband in America: OECD and ITIF Broadband
Rankings, April 2007, 10 pages, available at [http://www.itif.org/files/
BroadbandRanki ngs.pdf].
13 For more information on broadband and the digital divide, see CRS Report RL30719,
Broadband Internet Access and the Digital Divide: Federal Assistance Programs, by
Lennard G. Kruger and Angele A. Gilroy.
14 FCC, High-Speed Services for Internet Access: Status as of June 30, 2007, p.4.
15 Horrigan, John B., Pew Internet & American Life Project, Home Broadband Adoption

2008, July 2008, p. 3. Available at [http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Broadband_


2008.pdf]



to engage in e-commerce, may increasingly depend on high speed broadband
connections to the Internet. Thus, some say, communities and individuals without
access to broadband could be at risk to the extent that e-commerce becomes a critical
factor in determining future economic development and prosperity.
FCC Activities
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-104) addressed the issue of
whether the federal government should intervene to prevent a “digital divide” in
broadband access. Section 706 requires the FCC to determine whether “advanced
telecommunications capability [i.e., broadband or high-speed access] is being
deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion.” If this is not the case,
the act directs the FCC to “take immediate action to accelerate deployment of such
capability by removing barriers to infrastructure investment and by promoting
competition in the telecommunications market.”
On September 9, 2004, the FCC adopted and released its Fourth Report
pursuant to Section 706. Like the previous three reports, the FCC concluded that
“the overall goal of section 706 is being met, and that advanced telecommunications
capability is indeed being deployed on a reasonable and timely basis to all
Americans.”16 While the FCC is currently implementing or actively considering some
regulatory activities related to broadband,17 no major regulatory intervention pursuant
to Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 has been deemed necessary
by the FCC at this time.
The FCC noted the future promise of emerging multiple advanced broadband
networks which can complement one another:
For example, in urban and suburban areas, wireless broadband services may “fill
in the gaps” in wireline broadband coverage, while wireless and satellite services
may bring high-speed broadband to remote areas where wireline deployment may
be costly. Having multiple advanced networks will also promote competition in18
price, features, and quality-of-service among broadband-access providers.
Two FCC Commissioners (Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein) dissented
from the Fourth Report conclusion that broadband deployment is reasonable and
timely. They argued that the relatively poor world ranking of United States
broadband penetration indicates that deployment is insufficient, that the FCC’s
continuing definition of broadband as 200 kilobits per second is outdated and is not
comparable to the much higher speeds available to consumers in other countries, and
that the use of zip code data (measuring the presence of at least one broadband


16 Fourth Report, p. 8.
17 See Appendix C of the Fourth Report, “List of Broadband-Related Proceedings at the
Commission,” pp. 54-56.
18 Ibid., p. 9.

subscriber within a zip code area) does not sufficiently characterize the availability
of broadband across geographic areas.19
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has also cited concerns about the
FCC’s zip code level data. Of particular concern is that the FCC will report
broadband service in a zip code even if a company reports service to only one
subscriber, which in turn can lead to some observers overstating of broadband
deployment. According to GAO, “the data may not provide a highly accurate
depiction of local deployment of broadband infrastructures for residential service,
especially in rural areas.”20
On March 19, 2008, the FCC adopted an Order that substantially expands its
broadband data collection capability. Specifically, the Order expands the number of
broadband reporting speed tiers to capture more information about upload and
download speeds offered in the marketplace, requires broadband providers to report
numbers of broadband subscribers by census tract, and improves the accuracy of
information collected on mobile wireless broadband deployment. Additionally, in
a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the FCC is seeking comment on
broadband service pricing and availability.21
Also on March 19, 2008, the FCC adopted the Fifth Report to Congress on
broadband deployment under Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
As did previous reports, the Fifth Report found that broadband services are currently
being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion. Commissioners
Copps and Adelstein again dissented, citing flawed data collection methodologies,
lagging U.S. broadband penetration internationally, and the lack of a comprehensive
U.S. broadband strategy.
Administration Activities
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at
the Department of Commerce (DOC) was tasked with developing the Bush
Administration’s broadband policy.22 Statements from Administration officials
indicated that much of the policy would focus on removing regulatory roadblocks to
investment in broadband deployment.23 On June 13, 2002, in a speech at the 21st


19 Ibid., p. 5, 7.
20 U.S. Government Accountability Office, Broadband Deployment is Extensive throughout
the United States, but It Is Difficult to Assess the Extent of Deployment Gaps in Rural Areas,
GAO-06-426, May 2006, p. 3.
21 FCC, News Release, “FCC Expands, Improves Broadband Data Collection,” March 19,

2008. Available at [http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-280909A1.pdf].


22 See speech by Nancy Victory, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information,
before the National Summit on Broadband Deployment, October 25, 2001,
[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/speeches/2001/broadband_102501.htm] .
23 Address by Nancy Victory, NTIA Administrator, before the Alliance for Public
Technology Broadband Symposium, February 8, 2002, [http://www.ntia.doc.gov/speeches/
(continued...)

Century High Tech Forum, President Bush declared that the nation must be
aggressive about the expansion of broadband, and cited ongoing activities at the FCC
as important in eliminating hurdles and barriers to get broadband implemented.
President Bush made similar remarks citing the economic importance of broadband
deployment at the August 13, 2002 economic forum in Waco, Texas. Subsequently,
a more formal Administration broadband policy was unveiled in March and April of
2004. On March 26, 2004, President Bush endorsed the goal of universal broadband
access by 2007.24 Then on April 26, 2004, President Bush announced a broadband
initiative which advocates permanently prohibiting all broadband taxes, making
spectrum available for wireless broadband, creating technical standards for
broadband over power lines, and simplifying rights-of-way processes on federal lands
for broadband providers.25
On January 31, 2008, NTIA released a report, entitled, Networked Nation:
Broadband in America, 2007.26 According to NTIA, the report shows “that the
Administration’s technology, regulatory, and fiscal policies have stimulated
innovation and competition, and encouraged investment in the U.S. broadband
market contributing to significantly increased accessibility of broadband services.”27
Regulation and Broadband:
Convergence and the Changing Marketplace
Rapid technological advances and the resulting convergence of
telecommunications providers and markets has prompted the reexamination of the
existing telecommunications industry regulatory framework. The
“Telecommunications Act of 1996,” (P.L.104-104) redefined and recast the 1934
Communications Act to address the emergence of competition in what were
previously considered to be monopolistic markets. Despite its relatively recent
enactment, however, a consensus has been growing that the modifications brought
about by the implementation of the 1996 Act are not sufficient to address the
Nation’s changing telecommunications environment. Technological changes such as
the advancement of Internet technology to supply data, voice, and video as well as
the growing convergence in the telecommunications sector, have, according to many
policymakers, made it necessary to consider another “rewrite” or revision of the laws
governing these markets.


23 (...continued)

2002/apt_020802.htm] .


24 Allen, Mike, “Bush Sets Internet Access Goal,” Washington Post, March 27, 2004.
25 See White House, A New Generation of American Innovation, April 2004. Available at
[ h t t p : / / www. w h i t e house.gov/infocus/technology/ economic_policy200404/innovation.pdf].
26 Available at
[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/reports/2008/Networke dNationBroa dbandinAme rica2007.pdf]
27 NTIA, Press Release, “Gutierrez Hails Dramatic U.S. Broadband Growth,” January 31,

2008. Available at [http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/press/2008/NetworkedNation_


013108.html].



The regulatory debate focuses on a number of issues including the extent to
which existing regulations should be applied to traditional providers as they enter
new markets where they do not hold market power, the extent to which existing
regulations should be imposed on new entrants as they compete with traditional
providers in the same markets, and the appropriate regulatory framework to be
imposed on new and/or converging technologies that are not easily classified under
the present framework.28
The regulatory treatment of broadband technologies continues to hold a major
focus in the policy debate. A major facet of the debate centers on whether present
laws and regulations are needed to ensure the development of competition and its
subsequent consumer benefits, or, conversely, whether such laws and policies are
overly burdensome and discourage needed investment and deployment of such
services. What if any role regulators should play to ensure the Internet remains open
to all, often referred to as “open access” requirements or “net neutrality,” is also a
major and contentious part of the dialogue.29 In addition to the debate over economic
regulation, concern over how and to what extent “social regulations” such as
emergency 911 access, disability access, and law enforcement regulations, should be
applied to new and converging technologies continues to be debated. The continued
growth and expressed interest in municipal broadband networks has also focused
debate on what the appropriate role of the government sector should be and whether
it should be competing with the private sector.
How traditional policy goals, such as the advancement of universal service
mandates, should be revised to accommodate the changing marketplace has also
come under scrutiny. For example, issues such as who should receive and who
should contribute to universal service funds and whether the definition of universal
service objectives should be expanded to include new technologies such as
broadband continue to be debated.30
Activities in the 109th Congress
In the 109th Congress, debate over broadband policy primarily centered on H.R.
5252 — the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act
(COPE) in the House, and the Advanced Telecommunications and Opportunity
Reform Act (ATOR) in the Senate. H.R. 5252 addressed a number of issues,
including the extent to which legacy regulations should be applied to traditional
providers as they enter new markets, the extent to which legacy regulations should
be imposed on new entrants as they compete with traditional providers in their


28 For further information see CRS Report RL32949, Communications Act Revisions:
Selected Issues for Consideration, Angele A. Gilroy, coordinator.
29 For further information on the net neutrality debate, see CRS Report RS22444, Net
Neutrality: Background and Issues, by Angele A. Gilroy.
30 For further information on the Universal Service Fund and related FCC and congressional
activity see CRS Report RL33979, Universal Service Fund: Background and Options for
Reform, by Angele A. Gilroy.

markets, the treatment of new and converging technologies, and the emergence of
municipal broadband networks and Internet access. H.R. 5252, as amended, passed
( 321-101) the House, was significantly amended and passed (15-7) by the Senate
Commerce Committee, but did not reach the Senate floor for consideration.
H.R. 5252 (COPE). House Commerce Committee Chairman Barton, on March
27, 2006, released a draft telecommunications reform proposal that was the subject
of a Committee hearing on March 30, 2006. The then unnumbered measure, passed
(27-4) the subcommittee, with amendment, on April 5, 2006, and passed (42-12) the
full Committee with amendment, on April 26, 2006. The measure, titled “The
Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006” (COPE),
was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and formally
introduced as H.R. 5252. A sequential referral request, by House Judiciary Chairman
Sensenbrenner, which was subsequently denied, delayed floor consideration. The
House passed (321-101) an amended version of H.R. 5252 on June 8, 2006. In
addition to a manager’s amendment clarifying franchising provisions, five additional
amendments were passed. The other amendments: established a complaint process
to resolve fee disputes between a local franchise authority and a cable operator;
increased the income discrimination penalty for a cable operator from $500,000 to
$750,000; allowed a cable franchising authority to issue an order requiring
compliance with FCC revised consumer protection rules; preserved FCC authority
to require VOIP providers to contribute to the federal universal service fund, when
they connect directly or indirectly to the public switched network and compensate
network owners for use of their network; and clarified that language in HR5252
giving the FCC the exclusive authority to adjudicate network neutrality does not
remove antitrust authority over net neutrality complaints. Two amendments did not
pass. The first, an amendment, sponsored by Representative Markey, to strengthen
net neutrality provisions failed by a vote of 152-269. The second, to reduce, from 1
percent to 0.5 percent, the fee paid to local franchise authorities relating to PEG/iNet
support by women-owned, small business and socially and economically
disadvantaged firms was withdrawn.
H.R. 5252, as passed by the House, contained in its 6 titles, provisions that
would establish a national cable franchising process; clarify the FCC’s authority to
enforce its network neutrality principles; address VoIP 911 interconnection and E911
requirements; and bar states from prohibiting municipalities from providing their
own broadband networks. More specifically, Title I establishes a national process,
through the FCC, for new entrants to offer pay TV services and opens it up to
incumbent cable providers, once they face local competition. An operator of a
national franchise is prohibited from discriminating in the provision of service to any
group of residential subscribers based on the income of that group. National
consumer protection rules are established with a local authority/FCC complaint
procedure. Additional provisions in Title I preserve the local five percent franchise
fee cap, preserve and support PEG channel and I-Nets or Institutional Networks ( a
one percent gross revenue fee is established to ensure financial support), and preserve
rights-of-way requirements. The bill also contains provisions to assist small and rural
carriers in the provision of video service by allowing video operators to share a
headend transmission facility.



Title II clarifies the FCC’s authority to enforce its August 2005 network
neutrality principles in complaint proceedings, but prohibits the FCC from engaging
in related-rulemaking. Fines up to $500,000 per violation are established and the
FCC is required to resolve complaints within 90 days. The FCC is also directed to
conduct and submit to the House Energy and Commerce and Senate Commerce
Committees, within 180 days of enactment, a study, to evaluate “.... whether the
objectives of the (FCC’s) broadband policy statement and the principles incorporated
therein are being achieved.”
The remaining four titles dealt with a wide range of telecommunications issues.
Title III of the bill contains provisions to establish 911 and E-911 requirements for
VoIP services that connect to the public switched network and represent a
replacement telephone service. Additional provisions provide access to the nation’s
911 infrastructure and requires the FCC to appoint a 911 number administrator. Title
IV contains provisions that bar states from prohibiting municipalities from providing
their own broadband networks (that is telecommunications, information, or cable
services), but also requires that they do not discriminate in favor of, or bestow any
advantages to, such entities as compared with other providers of such services. The
FCC is tasked with submitting within one year of enactment, a report to Congress,
on the status of the provision of such services by municipalities. Titles V and VI
contain provisions that ensue consumers can buy stand-alone broadband service; call
for an FCC study to examine the possible interference associated with the
deployment of broadband over power lines; and further the development of “seamless
mobility.”
S. 2686 (HR5252/ATOR). The Senate Commerce Committee held a series of
hearings on a wide range of telecommunications issues in preparation for developing
comprehensive telecommunications legislation. Senate Commerce Committee
Chairman Stevens introduced, on May 1, 2006, a comprehensive (135 page)
telecommunications bill, S. 2686. The major provisions of that measure dealt with
a wide range of topics, including universal service reform; streamlining of the video
franchising process; requiring the FCC to report annually to Congress on the net
neutrality issue; interoperability of public safety communications systems;
interconnection; and municipal broadband ownership. The bill also contains a
number of provisions relating to broadcast issues such as the digital television
transition, the reinstating of the FCC’s “broadcast flag” rules, access to sports
programming, and use of unlicensed “white space.” Additional provisions relating
to protecting children from child pornography and amending the FCC’s “sunshine
rules” are also included.
Although Senator Inouye, the ranking minority member of the Committee,
signed on as a bill co-sponsor, he stated that S. 2686 needed considerable
amendment to gain his support. He circulated a draft proposal containing provisions
addressing video franchising, Internet access, broadband deployment, and universal
service, for consideration that addressed his concerns. The lack of a strong net
neutrality provision was one of the issues he specifically singled out for attention. S.
2686 provisions relating to streamlining the video franchising process, universal
service fund reform, and net neutrality were the major focus of Commerce
Committee hearing held on May 18, and May 25,2006. The Commerce Committee



issued a revised draft of the bill which was the subject of a hearing held on June 13,

2006.


After a lengthy and intense markup the Senate Commerce Committee approved
(15-7) on June 28, 2006 the newly titled “Advanced Telecommunications and
Opportunity Reform Act,” which technically is an amended version in the nature of
a substitute for H.R. 5252. In addition to a new bill name and number the three-day
markup led to the approval of a significant manager’s amendment containing a new
title and 70 amendments resulting in the passage of a 200-plus page omnibus
telecommunications measure. S. 2686, which was referred to as “the Senate
Committee passed version of H.R. 5252,” contains 11 titles covering a wide range
of telecommunications issues including video franchise reform, net neutrality,
universal service reform, municipal broadband, broadcast flag, the digital television
transition, interoperability, the illegal transmission of child pornography, and FCC
reform. The issue of net neutrality proved to be major point of contention during the
markup. Despite the addition of a new title (Title IX) establishing an “Internet
Consumer Bill of Rights” net neutrality advocates continued to press for a net
neutrality non-discrimination provision. A nondiscrimination amendment offered
during markup was defeated by an 11-11 vote. The lack of a cable franchise build-out
provision, federal preemption of state authority over wireless services, as well as
provisions added during markup to exempt, for three years, wireless providers
from”new and discriminatory” taxes and make permanent the Internet tax
moratorium also resulted in concern. While Senator Steven’s continued to express
confidence that the Senate version of H.R. 5252 would come to the floor for a vote,
the 109th Congress ended without full Senate consideration of the measure.
Both the Senate and House Judiciary Committees also examined issues related
to telecommunications reform. The House Judiciary’s Telecommunications and
Antitrust Task Force held a hearing on April 25, 2006, to examine competition issues
relating to Internet access and “net neutrality.” House Judiciary Committee
Chairman Sensenbrenner and Representative Conyers, the ranking minority member,
stated, in a letter sent to then House Speaker Hastert, that the Judiciary Committee
had oversight over market conditions, consolidations and antitrust protections in the
telecommunications sector, and asked for a sequential referral of H.R. 5252. That
request was denied. However, Chairman Sensenbrenner, Representative Conyers and
others introduced a bipartisan bill (H.R. 5417) focusing on Internet access from an
antitrust perspective, that passed (20-13) the Judiciary Committee, with amendment,
on May 25, 2006. A request to the House Rules Committee to have the bill
considered as an amendment during House floor action on H.R. 5252 was denied.
The Senate Judiciary Committee held a June 14, 2006 hearing to examine
communications laws in the context of ensuring competition and innovation.
Activities in the 110th Congress
In the 110th Congress, legislation was introduced that would provide financial
assistance for broadband deployment. Of particular note is the reauthorization and
reform of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) broadband loan program, which was



enacted as part of the 2008 farm bill (P.L. 110-234).31 P.L. 110-234 also contains
provisions establishing a National Center for Rural Telecommunications Assessment
and requiring the FCC and RUS to formulate a comprehensive rural broadband
strategy.
The Broadband Data Improvement Act (P.L. 110-385) was also enacted and
requires the FCC to collect demographic information on unserved areas, data
comparing broadband service with 75 communities in at least 25 nations abroad, and
data on consumer use of broadband. The act also directs the Census Bureau to
collect broadband data, the Government Accountability Office to study broadband
data metrics and standards, and the Department of Commerce to provide grants
supporting state broadband initiatives.
Legislation to reform universal service (H.R. 2054, H.R. 6320, H.R. 6356, H.R.
7000, S. 101, S. 711, S. 3491) — which could have a significant impact on the
amount of financial assistance available for broadband deployment in rural and
underserved areas — was also introduced. Additionally, Congress considered net
neutrality bills (H.R. 5353, H.R. 5994, S. 215), and municipal broadband bills (H.R.
3281 and S. 1853). The following provides a listing of broadband-related legislation
introduced into the 110th Congress.
P.L. 110-69 (H.R. 2272)
America COMPETES Act. Authorizes the National Science Foundation (NSF)
to provide grants for basic research in advanced information and communications
technologies. Areas of research include affordable broadband access, including
wireless technologies. Also directs NSF to develop a plan that describes the current
status of broadband access for scientific research purposes. Introduced May 10,
2007; referred to House Committee on Science and Technology. Passed House May

21, 2007. Passed Senate July 19, 2007. Signed into law August 9, 2007.


P.L. 110-161 (H.R. 2764)
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008. For Rural Utilities Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, provides $6.45 million to support a loan level of $300
million for the broadband loan program, and $13.5 million for broadband community
connect grants. For the Universal Service Fund (USF), extends for one year (until
December 31, 2008) the USF exemption for the Antideficiency Act (Title V, Sec.
510); prohibits the FCC from using its FY2008 funds to limit USF support to a
primary, or single, line (Title V, Sec. 511); permits the transfer of up to $21,480,000
of FY2008 funds from the USF to monitor the Program to prevent and remedy fraud,
waste, and abuse, and to conduct audits and investigations by the Office of Inspector
General (Title V, FCC Salaries and Expenses). Signed into law December 26, 2007.
P.L. 110-234 (H.R. 2419)
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Reauthorizes broadband program
at the Rural Utilities Service through FY2012. Establishes a National Center for
Rural Telecommunications Assessment. Directs USDA and the FCC to submit to


31 For further details, see CRS Report RL33816, Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in
the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service, by Lennard G. Kruger.

Congress a comprehensive rural broadband strategy. Introduced May 22, 2007;
referred to Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to Committee on Foreign
Affairs. Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development, and Foreign
Agriculture held markup of Title VII (Rural Development) on June 6, 2007.
Reported by House Committee on Agriculture (H.Rept. 110-256) on July 23, 2007.
Passed House July 27, 2007. Passed Senate with an amendment, December 14,

2007. Conference report (H.Rept. 110-627) approved by the House May 14, 2008,


and by the Senate May 15, 2008. Vetoed by the President, May 21, 2008. House and
Senate overrode veto on May 21 and May 22, 2008. Signed into law May 22, 2008.
P.L. 110-329 (H.R. 2638). Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Continuing resolution funds RUS broadband
loan and grant program at FY2008 levels through March 6, 2009. Signed into law
September 30, 2008.
P.L. 110-385 (S. 1492)
Broadband Data Improvement Act. Seeks to improve the quality of federal
broadband data collection and encourage state initiatives that promote broadband
deployment. Requires the FCC to collect demographic information on unserved
areas, data comparing broadband service with 75 communities in at least 25 nations
abroad, and data on consumer use of broadband. Directs the Census Bureau to
collect broadband data, the Government Accountability Office to study broadband
data metrics and standards, and the Department of Commerce to provide grants
supporting state broadband initiatives. Introduced May 24, 2007; referred to
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported July
19, 2007; reported by Committee (S.Rept. 110-204) and placed on Senate
Legislative Calendar, October 24, 2007. Passed by Senate with an amendment
September 26, 2008. Passed by House September 29, 2008. Signed into law October

10, 2008.


H.R. 42 (Velazquez)
Serving Everyone with Reliable, Vital Internet, Communications and Education
Act of 2007. Directs the FCC to expand assistance provided by the Lifeline
Assistance Program and the Link Up Program to include broadband service.
Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 278 (Cubin)
Amends Section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that funds
received as universal service contributions and the universal service support
programs established pursuant to that section are not subject to certain provisions of
title 31, United States Code, commonly known as the Antideficiency Act. Introduced
January 5, 2007; referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 1818 (Matsui)
Broadband Deployment Acceleration Act of 2007. Amends the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the expensing of broadband Internet access
expenditures. Introduced March 29, 2007; referred to Committee on Ways and
Means.



H.R. 2035 (Herseth Sandlin)
Rural Broadband Improvement Act. Amends the Rural Electrification Act of
1936 to modify the broadband loan program at the Rural Utilities Service by
narrowing the definition of “eligible rural community” and by limiting loans awarded
to applicants proposing to serve areas that already have a broadband provider.
Introduced April 25, 2007; referred to Committee on Agriculture and to Committee
on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 2054 (Boucher)
Universal Reform Act of 2007. Targets universal service support specifically
to eligible telecommunications carriers in high-cost geographic areas to ensure that
communications services and high-speed broadband services are made available
throughout all of the States of the United States in a fair and equitable manner.
Introduced April 26, 2007; referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 2174 (Salazar)
Rural Broadband Initiative Act of 2007. Establishes an Office of Rural
Broadband Initiatives within the Department of Agriculture which will administer all
rural broadband grant and loan programs previously administered by the Rural
Utilities Service. Also establishes a National Rural Broadband Innovation Fund
which would fund experimental and pilot rural broadband projects and applications.
Introduced May 3, 2007; referred to Committee on Agriculture and to Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 2569 (Graves)
Rural Broadband Deployment Act. Codifies certain changes proposed by
USDA to the rules governing eligibility for the rural broadband access program.
Specifically, would relax market survey requirements and eliminate the credit support
requirement, including the cash-on-hand requirement. Introduced June 5, 2007;
referred to Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce.
H.R. 2829 (Serrano)
Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2008. The
Senate Appropriations Committee-passed version of this 2008 appropriations bill
includes language in Title V (sec. 501) to extend the FCC’s universal service fund
exemption for the Anti-deficiency Act until December 31, 2008, and includes
language (sec. 502) to prohibit the FCC from implementing a single line restriction
for universal service support. Passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee July

12, 2007, and reported out of Committee (S.Rept. 110-129) on July 13, 2007.


H.R. 2953 (Space)
Rural Broadband Access Enhancement Act. Seeks to redefine “eligible rural
community,” streamline application process and lower equity requirements, restrict
loans to communities with existing broadband providers, eliminate limitation on
eligibility based on number of subscriber lines, set 35-year maximum on term of loan
repayment, and direct USDA/RUS to meet specific reporting requirements.
Introduced July 10, 2007; referred to Committee on Agriculture and Committee on
Energy and Commerce.



H.R. 3281 (Boucher)
Community Broadband Act of 2007. Sets forth that no state regulation or
requirement shall prevent a public provider from offering broadband services, and
prohibits a municipality from discriminating against competing private providers.
Introduced August 1, 2007; referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 3246 (Oberstar)
Regional Economic and Infrastructure Development Act of 2007. Designates
five regional commissions throughout the U.S. which would provide economic and
infrastructure development grants, including grants to develop the
telecommunications infrastructure of the region. Introduced July 31, 2007; referred
to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and to Committee on Financial
Services. Reported by Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, September

7, 2007 (H.Rept. 110-321, Part I). Passed by House, October 4, 2007.


H.R. 3428 (McHugh)
Rural America Digital Accessibility Act. Provides for grants, loan guarantees,
research, and tax credits to promote broadband deployment in underserved rural
areas. Introduced August 3, 2007; referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce
and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Science
and Technology.
H.R. 3627 (Space)
Connect the Nation Act. Establishes a State Broadband Data and Development
Grant Program within the Department of Commerce to help states develop and
implement statewide initiatives to identify and track the availability and adoption of
broadband services within each state. Authorizes $40 million for each of fiscal years
2008 through 2012. Introduced September 20, 2007; referred to Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 3893 (Allen)
Connect America Now Act. Establishes a State Broadband Data and
Development Grant Program within the Department of Commerce to help states
develop and implement statewide initiatives to identify and track the availability and
adoption of broadband services within each state. Authorizes $40 million for each
of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. Introduced October 18, 2007; referred to
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 3919 (Markey)
Broadband Census of America Act of 2007. Provides for a comprehensive
inventory of existing broadband service. Directs the FCC to conduct an annual
assessment of broadband deployment, including information on bandwidth service
tiers, types of technology, and international comparisons. Directs NTIA to develop
and maintain a broadband inventory map of the United States that depicts broadband
deployment at a nine digit zip code area level, census tract level, or functional
equivalent. Directs NTIA to award grants to states for broadband map development
and grants for demand-side broadband service identification and assessments.
Directs the FCC to conduct periodic consumer surveys of broadband service
capability. Authorizes $20 million for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2010, of
which not less than $15 million would be available for the state broadband map



grants. Authorizes $50 million in FY2008, $100 million in FY2009, and $125
million in FY2010 for the demand-side broadband service identification and
assessment (local technology planning) grants. Introduced October 22, 2007;
referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce. Reported by Committee on Energy
and Commerce (H.Rept. 110-443), November 13, 2007. Passed House by voice vote,
November 13, 2007.
H.R. 5353 (Markey)
Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2008. To establish broadband policy and
direct the Federal Communications Commission to conduct a proceeding and public
broadband summits to assess competition, consumer protection, and consumer choice
issues relating to broadband Internet access, and for other purposes. Introduced
February 12, 2008; referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 5682 (Allen)
Rural America Communication Expansion for the Future Act of 2008. Reforms
and reauthorizes through FY2013 the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan
Guarantee Program and the Community Connect Grant Program. Provides for tax
incentives and NTIA grant program for broadband services in rural and underserved
areas. Introduced April 2, 2008; referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce
and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means and Agriculture.
H.R. 5994 (Conyers)
Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2008. To amend the Clayton
Act with respect to competitive and nondiscriminatory access to the Internet.
Introduced May 8, 2008; referred to Committee on the Judiciary.
H.R. 6320 (Markey)
Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessability Act of 2008.
Ensures that individuals with disabilities have access to emerging Internet Protocol-
based communication and video programming technologies in the 21st Century.
Introduced June 19, 2008; referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 6356 (Barton)
The Universal Service Reform, Accountability, and Efficiency Act of 2008.
Reforms the collection and distribution of universal service support under the
Communications Act of 1934. Introduced June 24, 2008; referred to Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 7000 (Waxman)
The Universal Roaming Act of 2008. Requires any eligible telecommunications
carrier receiving universal service support for the provision of services for rural,
insular, and high cost areas to offer automatic roaming services to any technically
compatible carrier upon request. Introduced September 23, 2008; referred to
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.Res. 1292 (Eshoo)
Establishes a national goal for the universal deployment of next-generation
broadband networks by 2015 and calls upon the Congress and the President to



develop a strategy, enact legislation, and adopt policies to accomplish this objective.
Introduced June 20, 2008; referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce.
S. 101 (Stevens)
Universal Service for Americans Act (“USA Act”). Directs the FCC to
establish Broadband for Unserved Area Areas Program to be funded by the Universal
Service Fund. Requires communications carriers to submit detailed broadband
deployment data to the FCC. Introduced January 4, 2007; referred to Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
S. 215 (Dorgan)
Amend the Communications Act of 1934 to ensure net neutrality. Introduced
January 9, 2007; referred to Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
S. 541 (Feingold)
Rural Opportunities Act of 2007. Directs the FCC to collect more detailed
broadband deployment data and to periodically revise its definition of broadband
above 200 kbps. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to report on the adoption or
planned adoption of the recommendations contained in the September 2005 audit
report by the Inspector General of the United States Department of Agriculture.
Introduced February 8, 2007; referred to Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and
Forestry.
S. 609 (Rockefeller)
A bill to amend Section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that
funds received as universal service contributions and the universal service support
programs established pursuant to that section are not subject to certain provisions of
Title 31, United States Code, commonly known as the Antideficiency Act. Introduced
February 15, 2007; referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
S. 711 (Smith)st
Universal Service for the 21 Century Act. Expands the contribution base for
universal service and establishes a separate account within the universal service fund
to support the deployment of broadband service in unserved areas. Introduced
February 28, 2007; referred to Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
S. 761 (Reid)
America COMPETES Act. Authorizes the National Science Foundation (NSF)
to provide grants for basic research in advanced information and communications
technologies. Areas of research include affordable broadband access, including
wireless technologies. Also directs NSF to develop a plan that describes the current
status of broadband access for scientific research purposes. Introduced March 5,
2007; placed on Senate Legislative Calendar. Passed Senate April 25, 2007. Senate
incorporated this measure in H.R. 2272 as an amendment July 19, 2007.
S. 1032 (Clinton)
Rural Broadband Initiative Act of 2007. Establishes an Office of Rural
Broadband Initiatives within the Department of Agriculture which will administer all



rural broadband grant and loan programs previously administered by the Rural
Utilities Service. Also establishes a National Rural Broadband Innovation Fund
which would fund experimental and pilot rural broadband projects and applications.
Introduced March 29, 2007; referred to Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry.
S. 1190 (Durbin)
Connect the Nation Act. Establishes a State Broadband Data and Development
Grant Program within the Department of Commerce to help states develop and
implement statewide initiatives to identify and track the availability and adoption of
broadband services within each state. Authorizes $40 million for each of fiscal years
2008 through 2012. Introduced April 24, 2007; referred to Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
S.Res. 191 (Rockefeller)
Establishing a national goal for the universal deployment of next-generation
broadband networks by 2015, and calling upon Congress and the President to develop
a strategy, enact legislation, and adopt policies to accomplish this objective.
Introduced May 8, 2007; referred to Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
S. 1264 (Coleman)
Rural Renaissance Act. Creates a Rural Renaissance Corporation which would
fund qualified projects including projects to expand broadband technology in rural
areas. Introduced May 2, 2007; referred to Committee on Finance.
S. 1439 (Roberts)
Rural Broadband Improvement Act of 2007. Reauthorizes the broadband and
broadband loan guarantee program under Title VI of the Rural Electrification Acct
of 1936. Introduced May 21, 2007; referred to Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry.
S. 1853 (Lautenberg)
Community Broadband Act of 2007. Sets forth that no state regulation or
requirement shall prevent a public provider from offering broadband services, and
prohibits a municipality from discriminating against competing private providers.
Introduced July 23, 2007; referred to Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation. Ordered to be reported favorably with amendments by the
Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, October 30, 2007.
S. 2242 (Baucus)
Heartland, Habitat, Harvest, and Horticulture Act of 2007. Introduced October
25, 2007; referred to Committee on Finance. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 to provide for the expensing of broadband Internet access expenditures. Creates
a Rural Renaissance Corporation which would fund qualified projects including
projects to expand broadband technology in rural areas. Reported to Senate (S.Rept.

110-206) and placed on Senate Legislative Calendar, October 25, 2007.



S. 2302 (Harkin)
Food and Energy Security Act of 2007. Reauthorizes broadband program at the
Rural Utilities Service through FY2012. Introduced November 2, 2007. Senate
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry reported measure to Senate
(S.Rept. 110-220) November 2, 2007; placed on Senate Legislative Calendar.
S. 3182 (Mikulski)
Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2009. Provides $20 million to the Technology Opportunities
Program (TOP) at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration,
Department of Commerce, for competitive grants for the construction of broadband
services and networks. Reported by Committee on Appropriations June 23, 2008
(S.Rept. 110-397).
S. 3260 (Durbin)
Financial Services and General Government Appropriations for FY2009.
Makes $3 million available to the FCC to establish and administer a State Broadband
Data and Development matching grants program for State-level broadband demand
aggregation activities and creation of geographic inventory maps of broadband
service to identify gaps in service and provide a baseline assessment of statewide
broadband deployment. Reported by Committee on Appropriations July 14, 2008
(S.Rept. 110-417).
S. 3289 (Kohl)
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related
Agencies Appropriations, 2009. Provides $11.618 million to support a loan level of
$297.9 million for the broadband loan program, and $13.406 million for broadband
grants. Introduced July 21, 2008; referred to Committee on Appropriations.
Reported to Senate (S.Rept. 110-426) July 21, 2008; placed on Senate Legislative
Calendar.
S. 3297 (Reid)
Advancing America’s Priorities Act. Title V, Subtitle A, Part 1 is the
Broadband Data Improvement Act, which seeks to improve the quality of federal
broadband data collection and encourage state initiatives that promote broadband
deployment. Introduced July 22, 2008; placed on Senate Legislative Calendar.
S. 3491 (Stevens)
The Telehealth for America Act of 2008. Amends the Communications Act of

1934 to improve the effectiveness of rural health care support under section 254(h)


of the act. Introduced September 16, 2008; referred to Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.