Transcripts For CSPAN2 Broadband Infrastructure 20180202

To highlight each though i do want to call attention to a couple of resolutions expressing the Guiding Principles on broadband infrastructure that should underpin our efforts first. Any funds for broadband in an infrastructure package should go to underserved areas. Second, as noted, the federal government should not be picking winners and losers in the marketplace. It should be competitively and technologically if we adhere to these principles im confident we can avoid the pitfalls. Most Important Congress should be mindful of the significant amounts of private capital to support broadband deployment. Since the passage of the bipartisan 96 act, the private sector has invested roughly 1. 6 trillion in the networks. To classify the competitive broadband market place under title number two of the Communications Act and an outdated relic of the 1930s monopoly era. To conduct the illconceived policy and return to the accusatory approach. In the best communication they have the highest Economic Growth and most important, most remain a bipartisan effort and im pleased to note our effort has brought support from the crosssection of the industry at this time i would like to enter into the record several letters of support. The commerce, power and communications contractions association. For the witnesse the witness ise that i feel the remainder of my time to the vice chairman of the subcommittee. The chair is doing a terrific job at th of the subcommittee. Since 199 1996 bbravo wirelessd wireline industries invested 1. 6 trillion Capital Investment as we consider how to promote broadband deployment in the network its important that we remember the private investment in the past and pursue federal policies to help and encourage an emphasis on the investment in the future. As the economy becomes more we must ensure the Broadband Access to all areas of the country. Its important that we recognize federal funds for the deployment of the finite on the unserved or underserved areas of the nation. Im pleased we are considering the act which ive introduced with the congressman on a bipartisan basis and i commandd the chariot of the members on both sides of the aisle on the impressive passage of bills we are considering today and i look forward to hearing the testimo testimony. Thank you madam chair for holding this hearing and for the witnesses appearing before us. I want to start off by saying that i share the gold of ensuring all have access to broadband and that we need to come together on a bipartisan basis to address the challenge of millions face today from the lack of Broadband Access and sufficient speed and lack of affordable options. I believe we cannot ignore the lack of competition particularly among the wireline providers and high cost of service that results in far too many in the service. I am concerned about the approach we are considering 25 bills at this hearing. I cant remember a time when the Committee Held a hearing on so many levels with a single witness. We are simply not getting the time and expertise required for the members of the committee to consider each of the bills and their ramifications. It would seem to me far more prudent to uphold a series of hearings so members would have an opportunity to discuss and understand the proposals before us. This gives a short riff for the members on both sides of the aisle and precludes the bills from undergoing the deliberative process. Its my hope that the chairman and the Committee Staff can work with us to avoid this unnecessary problem for the future and its my hope that as we move forward on broadband infrastructure legislation we can do so on a collaborative and bipartisan basis. I am concerned that many of the proposals do not actually address the primary issue of getting broadband to Rural America and that there is no Business Case for that investment. If we were serious about solving this problem they should have access to the comparable surface and wcompatible surfaceand we ne funds necessary. With that i would like to yield a minute to my friend from california and then my good friend mr. Welch. Here is the second decade of the 21st century to Many Americans cannot fully participate in modern life because. Its unavailable and its our responsibility to remedy this. Thats why several things clear the way for the community to take control. The Community Broadband act. They create their own networks and to streamline attachments to the efficiency and competition. The policies are in place. They have more access, Better Service and lower prices. Its up to 50 lower in cost him ththan the taxes and the broadbd community taxable up in the doors and most especially to make a difference in america so i think the gentleman for yielding. We know about 40 has no broadband and there is no Economic Future for any part of the country if it doesnt have highspeed internet. Rural america is being left behind and the other issue is that makes no sense for the private markets to be expanding in these areas there is no feedback. The bottom line is we need funding to make certain it is real and we have a group of the committee that wrote we want infrastructure funding that is real so there is broadband in Rural America. Absent funding there is no broadband. It is as simple as that. This is a good hearing on several good pills but there is nothing before us that its going to address the funding that we need for infrastructure for broadband. When we acknowledge that we have to have running for this felt as much as our predecessors and congress provided funding for the buildout of electricity in Rural America no funding, no broadband it is as simple as that. You are recognized for five minutes. Thank you to all the members and witnesses. We have a lot of important ideas and we have 25 bills as youve heard eight of them from democrats and the others from republicans. The committee is used to dealing with big important issues may be hundreds of pages long these are important policy statements in some cases streamline processes so the whole concept is to look at the broad range of ideas and thats why at the subcommittee level we thought it was important to put as many of public to see because its on the agenda and the website also to get our heads around as we look forward in the legislative process i remember when the last administration did the stimulus bill it was a 7 billion they pushed up before they produce the maps to tell us where they were in america and we did that after the fact so we are trying to get the other side of the coin what kind of reporting mechanisms are being conducted today to show us that. You want other organizations to help us figure that out so when the money is invested it isnt the overbuilt its to reach out to the 29 million americans, 39 that dont have access to highspeed broadband. 7 billion you have to remember in the market they are spending close to 80 billion a year on broadband deployment between 1996 i think it is and the 2006. They would stretch in the atlantic t to a high of 69,000 square miles. There are multiple ways to close it but one of the best is to make sure to expedite it to those that are underserved in helping move the country in the connectivity that weve never seen before. Its to free up the spectrum ans now being built out we want to move forward in the development. Ive asked for a briefing either classified or not to figure out what those issues are. We want to be smart about having a secure network i dont know that having the government run it is necessarily the best way to go so we are looking at those issues. Its an exciting time for america to figure out the ideas among ourselves and in a bipartisan way to deal with making america in the forefront on development of connectivity and the newest iteration in technology. Mr. Pallone at this time i will yield five minutes. The infrastructure package that would bring democrats and republicans together and for our part the Committee Democrats introduced a comprehensive package across all areas of the committees jurisdiction. Mostly to conflict with the plan that was just leaked out of the white house and since they developed a legislative proposal americans need and deserve the time when the nations infrastructure is either crumbling or in desperate need of modernization its time that we makes it thickens investments in the future. The left america act authorizes 40 billion for the deployment of secure and resilient broadband and also provide over 22 billion for Drinking Water infrastructure over 17 billion for the resistant infrastructure over 3 billion for Health Care Infrastructure and list 3 billion for the redevelopment. And the left america act puts the dollars where the needed creating jobs revitalizing the communities and addressing the threats to human health and the environment and it would address the Drinking Water to fund medical facilities in the country to produce Carbon Emissions and the resilience to the impact of Climate Change and it would do all that without rolling back environmental safeguards as we are now hearing as a major component of the president s plan. When it comes to broadband weve put fortpropagandaweve put forl proposals building on strong foundations of the act and the d the bills ensure that we are investing efficiently basing the decision on the good data and reaching urban, roll and tribal lands. The last couple of weeks weve seen bipartisan agreements that would need dedicated them to have access to broadband nationwide yet despite this, republicans on the committee decided to unveil the bills that dont address the problems they are simply window dressings with Broadband Access and the republican proposals will not improve Broadband Development and may hurt workers and the economy an in parts of the coun. They simply try to jam too much in one hearing and seven witnesses discussing the bills will not help the public understand these proposals let alone the members of the committee. Whats more we do not even have the relative agencies to understand how they fell in her private directions included in the republican bills. Its to paper over the infrastructure into the erosion of privacy rights and elimination of Net Neutrality and when it comes to governing its falling short. I yield the balance of my time. In todays digital age it is simply essential. The bipartisan act introduced by the cult provide targeted assistance to deploy Wireless Service in areas with the worst coverage and in my bill the act would help the divide by reinforcing the importance of the fcc universal Service Fund Programs that serve the communities. They are the most underserved region in the nation in terms of Broadband Access. We have the responsibility to honor our legal and moral obligation and this commonsense bill does just that. I urge the committee to move the bills as quickly as possible. The gentle man yields back into this concludes the opening statements. I would like to remind members pursuant to the rules, you all have your statements that can be made a part of the record and we want to thank our witnesses for being here today and taking their time to testify. The panel for todays hearing will include mr. Jonathan. Its the executive vp president and ceo Shirley Bloomfield mr. Spots lessonsscott slawson. And ellen swanson, the Connecticut Consumer Council we appreciate each of you for being here today and preparing for the committee submitting testimony today. We will work right through the day as recognized. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you. Im president and e. Of the telecom representing everything in between. All are deeply committed to and on the frontlinebeing on the fre massive effort under way for the opportunities and possibilities so we greatly appreciate the leadership and growing momentum we are seeing on both sides of the aisle to aid in this effort and in a few short hours we know the president will deliver the state of the Union Address and in the topics that drove the consensus. One of those issues with a powerful centrifugal force pulling us all together. In a statement and actions sent to the bills now making their way through this Committee Washington has caught up to the times in a moment too soon acknowledging the role of information infrastructure the ones with Broadband Networks to the nation. Its now a privatesector endeavor and the providers have invested as the chairman mentioned 1. 5 trillion over the last two decades building out u. S. Digital infrastructure to put a man on th on the moon andd out the interstate highway system combined so why must we continue to commit public funds to the cost . Because we risk leaving millions of households and citizens behind if we do not. The private investment model works in reasonably populous areas that the Business Case breaks down when the average per mile of laying fiber not to mention the Network Upgrades and maintenance costs associated that are constantly required must be spread across a handful of users. Broadband companies and members want to connect everyone from the most populated urban areas to the most remote communities in the nation. What specifically does that mean . New and direct public funding is needed for connecting the final frontier. It is on a vast spending menu but has its own specific allocation. Allocation. A physician being championed by the bipartisan cochair of the broadband caucus and thank you very much for that. Public dollars should prioritize connecting the underserved areas using proven mechanism chief among them universal service fund. For the accountability by minimizing administrative costs to u. S. Taxpayers. Fourth, connectivity should be factored into physical Infrastructure Projects adding more of the bridges and roads to the conductivity makes them smarter, safer and more Cost Effective and extends their useful life. Last, a stable streamline Regulatory Environment can accelerate and extend the impact of both public and private dollars. Earlier this month the president signed an executive order to expedite the permitting socalled Big Companies can build infrastructure in rural areas faster continuing the efforts reducing deployment cost cost and stretching limited resources further. I really greatly appreciate your testimony today and ongoing leadership. We stand ready to link arms of the policy leaders from anyone else wants to step up. Morning. Thank you for including wireless as part of this conversation. Look at the face challenges we face together and the opportunities we have. We look at driving up Economic Growth and having opportunities for brett about brandon allamericans. We have two core challenges. The first is the Digital Divide. Vermont to eastern americans that do not have access to the wired and Wireless Broadband Solutions that we all rely on everyday. We look forward to working with the committee to try with wired wireless broadband deeper. Our second is global competitiveness. Last month International Standards body spent the set the standards in the races now on. See what leadership has meant here and they want to take thus from us. China and others are investing with over a hundred ongoing today. In the u. S. We want to win too. We have our own ongoing trials. And ultimately were ready to invest 275 billion in private capital to build out those networks. We dont need federal funding to solve the 5g problem. We need help to modernize our approach to society. Networks will be different because well them with small cells. Theyre attached to streetlights inside the buildings. The challenge we face is too often advice that takes one or two hours to install takes one or two years to get approved. At every year we treat these like a 270foot tower alongside the highway. In short, we need new rules and thats why we appreciate the focus on this issue focusing on the federal impediments and focus on how to we modernize the federal regulation to expedite things like this another new infrastructure. Her had we marshall federal assets to draw a broadband deeper and utilizing federal lands. The other thing we would hope for is to talk about the leadership with respect to state local sightings as well. Assist leadership at 92 and 96 to give guard whales in guy guidance about how this can and should work to make sure we have deployment of wireless and broadband. Federal guidance also needs to be updated. When we get the rules right 5g will be transformative to your communities. It will unlock self driving cars in the internet of things. It will create jobs in downtown pittsburgh. The server 200 million in the economy. Thats why were excited about winning the 5g race. Need make sure all americans have access to broadband. We think with bold leadership of this congress and committee we can and need to do both thank you. At this time you have five minutes. As you know, for the last year aca and its members have been discussing with members of both sides of the aisle the administration and fcc about how to effectively and efficiently close the Digital Divide. Aca appreciates and supports the commitment to bring rod bentall americans. Over the past decade because of hundreds of billions of dollars of private investment by aca members and others in the secs reforms to the Service Programs were closing in on this goal. Today, more than a hundred million goals have access to more than 100 megabits per second and only 5. 3 million have speeds less than ten megabits. Not only have they invested billions to upgrade and expand their networks but many with their own money have deployed 840,000 homes third otherwise be eligible for support. We should recognize and build upon the successes. We know theres much more to do. For my travel visiting with members across the country i can tell you members are committed to serving the nations most challenging corners. They believe we can close the Digital Divide and they believe we can keep it shut by following four principles. First, encourage private investment. Second, remove barriers to deployment. Third, before spending federal funds take account of successes. Provide broadband subsidies efficiently. Lets encourage private investment. Broadband providers are spending 75 billion annually to upgrade and expand networks. This will continue for the future should be encouraged by avoiding governmental actions that would hinder these. For example, it would not be helpful if funds were used to overbuild the unsubsidized providers are measures adopted that were not technologically neutral favoring one class of providers are an industry over others. Lets remove barriers to deployment. Building Broadband Networks is costly. You get the best pay without spending a buck by lowering those costs. Here are steps to take. Facilitate access to utility poles by removing impediments such as fixing the makeready process. Apply the federal attachment want to cooperatives. Require cost based nondiscriminatory rightofway fees and prohibit charging these fees on a per service basis. Dont neglect successes before determining where to spend federal money and how much is needed. We calculate by removing barriers the cost of Network Department will be reduced to 1. 2 million homes to be served with fiber infrastructure through private investment. We believe the new tax law will enable more than 400,000 unserved homes being served. Finally, the connect America Program will increase the homes live in receiving less than two megabits. To the connect America Programs the fcc has given us a roadmap for awarding Government Support more efficiently by targeting support only to unserved areas and awarding support any new money lets employ these principles and limit the amount of federal support to account for state subsidies list any additional is required. The four principles i set force will maximize consumer welfare, increase Economic Growth, make communities throughout the country thrive, and enable you to bridge the dip in Digital Divide sooner and with more sustainable results. Aca and its members stand ready to assist you in every way. Thank you. Cannot say how excited we are that youre talking about this incredible important topic of broadband and ceo the Broadband Association away represent approximately 850 Small Businesses who are providing broadband across the country. We have led the charge in connecting america with the rest of the world but applying advanced networks that respond to the need and demand for cuttingedge technology. They serve areas where that average density is seven customers per square mile. Thats the average population density of the state of montana. Emphasize work with done survey found 87 of members can purchase broadband at ten megabits or higher 67 can access it beads above 25 meg. Good news but they tell the story of rule consumers that need access when the story is bleak for those were not served its not as if the job is done once its built. There is job to make sure that we have quality service. So how do we overcome this. The first incident you need a Business Case to consider deploying role broadband. If you cannot afford to build or sustain a network the questions dont come into play. The economics of broadband are difficult if not impossible. What rule consumers pay is rarely enough to cover the cost. I wish i had an easier answer but the infrastructure is extensive any of your consumers spread across to cover the cost. Thats why the ongoing support overseen by the sec is critical in making a Business Case. A bipartisan letter led by many in the subcommittee was signed by 101 members of congress in the house encouraging to have Efficient Services available. This is greatly appreciated by our members and reaffirms the fact that the u. S. Highcost program says the foundation of a program we can then focus on the next challenge and thats the barriers to deployment us are the questions become important. With a potential infrastructure package on the horizon is encouraging that the members of this committee are considering measures aimed at some of the unique challenges presented by role broadband. Many initiatives near the work that has been done addressing disaster relief, broadband mapping and supporting innovation on the Technology Neutral basis must be part of the effort to address challeng challenges. Smaller providers have neither the staff nor resources to navigate these complex structures. For these have about 25 employees persist on the time and money spent on navigating relates to money and time not spent on broadband. Its also much needed and greatly appreciated. We need accurate data and transparency to make sure there resources are used and applied as efficiently as possible. We welcome the ability reusing all Communication Technologies available to provide worldclass service to members and customers. Just as we transition any flexibility and access to Additional Support and resources to deploy new technologies and address the new technologies. We have made Great Strides in reducing the Digital Divide but the job is far from done. With millions of Rural Americans served only through the help of the universal Service Program we must work diligently to make sure no child is left behind without access to homework or telehealth capabilities. The farmers left without Precision Tools and no business is left from participating in this economy. Your leadership and commitment to this issue and identifying these issues are so appreciated. I appreciate the ability to be here and i look forward to engaging with you. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is scott and i am the legislative director of the Natural Resources defense council. Concentrate my remarks on the impact of federal Environmental Reviews and infrastructures including broadband. The poor state is not because of Environmental Reviews, our problem is cash. Numerous studies show there is not federal rules causing delays area the number one problem is lack of funding followed by state local loss, citizen opposition to projects and zoning restrictions. Broadband deployment is not delayed by Environmental Impact statements. No broadband project was ever required to do one by the fcc. Our project suffer from a lack of financing that reviews. We cannot streamline our way to universal Broadband Access, new tunnels under the hudson are bridges over the ohio river new sewer systems. Like you to appreciate why its important. And medications it gives constituency only opportunity to voice concerns. Informed Public Engagement performs ideas Information Solutions the government might overlook. The process has saved money, times lives historic and public lands most recommendations to cripple the process try to limit Public Notice in comments and are undemocratic. The first time i learned of a pipeline going to the property should not be when an attorney shows up at a store with an offer to purchase because of threat of eminent domain. Because committees have tried to assert jurisdiction there has been contradictory changes made by congress in 2005, 12, 15. Changes in statutes of limitation limited access to courts and arbitrated deadlines for permit approvals. They can find other agencies in this deadline, the fast stacked, based in large part by the rapid act promoted by was passed in 2015 made dramatic changes. The law created a new interagency apparatus called the federal Steering Council which is largely controlled by omb. They want to set deadlines and have personal resources to support the overall decisionmaking process. President trumps first infrastructure executive order as chief sponsor senator portman wrote contradicted authorities and responsibilities to the consternation of project sponsors already participating in the existing process. Even the Business Roundtable said we should be looking at existing law. Despite that can of these laws the Congress Said many bills go to the house for that would further amend the process without regard to their impact on process changes already made. Rather than simplifying current processes to create new conflicts and delay project reviews. The recent draft infrastructure proposal should not be taken serious, the provisions that would repeal critical cleanair and endangered species protections. It also talk about given agency heads free reign. To fix our infrastructure we dont need to give the interior secretary Carte Blanche to build pipelines serving national park. We do need them to help build a modern infrastructure system thats resilient, Energy Efficient and takes into the account impacts of a changing climate and the needs of the 21st century. We can do this smarter and better by using, not crippling the Environmental Review process. We look for to working with the committee on solutions to our nations infrastructure challenge. Thank you. Thank you for your commitment to bridging the Digital Divide. Im president of Ctc Technology and energy. Im also ceo of the coalition for local internet choice, a coalition of public and private entities that believe solving our challenges requires a full range of options including publicprivate collaborations. As we look forward to super bowl sunday i suggest our drive to bridge the divide is to develop a plane strategy. Do we actually have a Winning Strategy . Much of the current discussion seems premised on the idea that a Winning Strategy will smash the barriers such as environmental processes cost of access to public facilities. In my experience that premise is wrong. The fundamental reason we dont seek this set areas with high am for structure cost per user particularly rural areas failed to attract private capital. To solve this government can take steps to improve this were areas have been insufficient. Rule communities in underserved Rural Communities in lowincome areas where adoption is slow theres no return particular attention and support must be directed to the areas. Without that private dollars would continue to float for the private areas. Support Publicprivate Partnerships that easy economic challenges of construction rural urban and tribal infrastructure. Build infrastructure that privatesector users can use. Making bonding and other financing strategies usable through expansion of the newmarket program. And power to pursue Broadband Solutions fall types is to leverage taxpayerfunded property and compete Competitive Dynamics that attract investments. Require all that benefit including assets to make enforceable commitments that are historically unserved and maximize the benefits of competition to require their offered on a competitive basis. The current strategy doesnt face the challenge. Many are focused on reducing the privatesector cost of doing business which is why it forces this for carrier access. All of this makes more profitable the more profitable areas of the country rather than changing the deployment of broadband where there is no true on investment. Its critical to know that no critical engineer, analyst or investor claiming 5g deployment is planned or appropriate for rural areas. Thats because 5g is a Wireless Technology for fast communication should. If the goal is to attract private is exactly the wrong way to do it. Rather, its like moving the ball a few inches and calling it a touchdown. My second question is, do we have the right players on the field. They are creating an incentive broadband for years scatter for duct that local efforts of processes restrict or deter private investment. The assumption that its ignores the immediacy of the Digital Divide for local officials. The assumption that the federal government is more confident to develop strategies ignores the experience of the past decade which demonstrates that local governments get the opportunity and physical assets my testimony includes examples of a wide range of different collaborations in existence or Development Communities ranging from West Virginia to wyoming, to new york city, to the coastal cities. Finally printing local efforts and authority is not a Winning Strategy. It removes one of the most important players. Of money. A good morning. I am the Consumer Council from the state of connecticut, go patriots. I am head of a small, independent, nonpartisan state agency that advocates for consumers. In that capacity is served as governor malloys designee to the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee to the fcc in which i serve as chairman. We have 44 consumer advocates across the country in that capacity i serve on the secs joint board of service. My interest and time spent his seat. I thank you for your interest and attention to this issue. As you know there are Many Americans and Small Businesses that dont have access to broadband. Thats about 25 of americans dont have a broadband connection in their home. That rises to 39 but theres approximately 5 million homes that equals 17 that do not have a broadband connection. Connecticut wanted to learn more about the Digital Divide. You may be surprised by this sense connecticut is seen as an affluent state. Like every state we have unserved and underserved communities. We commissioned a report called Strategic Outreach Services to assess the affordability and assess ability of broadband to students in the north end of harper. Its an ethnic Minority Community with low income and an area known as Community Pride and commitment to school. We worked with the president of that organization. She is in the room today. For those interested in talk with her. We met with educators and parents and students, Church Leaders and Neighborhood Watch type organizations and city leaders. What we learned is that many students suffer from the area that we did find a six to 10 00 p. M. And what we heard is that many students take extreme measures because they dont have a Broadband Access at home for affordability or access. We heard stories that students would go to fast food restaurants to do their homework. One of the restaurants changed its policy sequence at their lot that long. We also learned that students venture out at night trying to catch wifi. People are upset that the schools shut down wifi after hours so students can sit nearby. We heard from parents who recognize that broadband was important to their children but found it on available at any price. Long lines of students queued up at the Public Librarys to use their computers. When they close at 6 00 oclock they had nowhere to go. This frustration expressed that a smart phone was theres substitute. Three hard to do your homework on a smart phone or type of paper. What troubled me as a consumer advocate is that if its happening in connecticut is happening everywhere and no child should have to sit and Dunkin Donuts to try to finish a project and the implication for quality education that we deliver to children is profound. We would never say to students whose students can afford textbooks, and sorry cannot learn. Or im sorry you dont have access. But thats what were saying by failing to address the homework happen so many areas. I ask you consider the urban communities and Rural Communities. Its not just the question of adoption or they can afford it. Its also a question of quality. Swanson, would you please recognize her guest again. Miss janice butler. Janice, would you please stand, thank you for your good work. [applause] by way of correcting some statements that were made earlier for the information of those with us today want to reiterate the subcommittee hearing activities relative to infrastructures that have taken place you had november 16 a hearing on the race to 5g, we had the fcc reauthorization legislative hearing on june 21, the hearing and financial mapping broadband coverage we had some on the committee who thought that was redundant because we had a march 21 hearing, realizing nationwide ng 911 and march 21 hearing with the discussion draft some of those bills were now in built form the bill has bipartisan support in february 2 they reauthorization of the in tia. Its timetested stop talking and get bills passed. I thank you for your leadership on this issue and also yielding as i have another commitment. One ask a couple of questions, students, seniors and everybody in between mr. And your testimony is intrigued when he said brought plant deployment is not delayed by Environmental Impact statements. No project was ever required to do one by the federal communications commission. And i really say no project has ever been required to do an eis, are you . Many of had to do assessments of the 50000 federal activities a year, there is only a couple hundred eis is. None that we could find on the fcc has ever required this. I think its required through other agencies. 55 of the districts federal land some familiar with it. Connecticut is about 5544. New jersey it thousand 722. The point is, i run into it all the time were trying to get broadband out there and get power into our communities took three years to get power poles. So there is an issue here. I think theres more there than what you represent your testimony. Mr. Gilling, thank you for your testimony as well. As you know we have seen the situations with various federal and state laws that have delayed. In 2016 a company was looking to expand by adding a 14 by 10foot area adjacent to its existing facility in a parking lot. The study took five months to complete and cost thousands of dollars. Have your anyone else tell us about the things youve run into what you like about these bills is this a problem or not . On one end we hear its [inaudible] the other we here it is. I live at it in a district like mine firsthand. This is something we face every day for running into challenges that particularly when we talk about things like this that to install 22 in a park in the it takes many months and cost thousands of dollars. Theres times when its appropriate to have the boat were talking about the things that will help expedite employment now. In a cost how much . A hundred 73000 to site 23 of these. Dear folks ever run into siding issues we could address . Our members build into their budget time and money because of how long it takes for attachments to poles to produce broadband to be approved and permitted to move forward. Thousands of dollars for application fees are made and additional engineering studies are made, further request duplicating the process fact that a Member Company has to build in six months of time, at least before they can move forward on a broadband deployment is causing band appointment not to be deployed. Just to cite some examples i have a company in south dakota that had a yearlong delay because of needing to get u. S. For service permitting through. Your bill time in south dakotas very short period you have time where you miss that opportunity. In wyoming we had a state office that treated the broadband bill like a pipeline. They had to get bonding to do the construction when it was just a broadband conduit. There are incidences in time and money needs to be built into the process. And one of the few chairs that hasnt actually been through this process. Why never climbed a tower i was involved in a lot of that. I share your pain. Ill think your companys want to do environmental damage. I think thats a false argument. Thats not the point. The point is we can streamline the process and its an analog process. Mr. Doyle. I want to recognize a great pittsburgh are on the panel. Great ceo of the american cable association. I think matt will agree that when the eagles are playing the patriots were all eagles fans. Want to make sure he understood, youre holding the box up and said you know any money from the federal government, just make it easier to streamline deployment. Youre not suggesting that you Member Companies would take care of this and Rural America . Are those white boxes can solve our problem if we just streamline the process . This helps us trip ive 5g it wont solve the problem. I just wanted to clarify that and secondly, are some of the impediments to employment state and local issues are all federal issues . It is a mix of both. In areas unserved or underserv underserved, we see municipalities through Publicprivate Partnerships provide broad bands of their communities. In some cases its an alternative to the covenant. And weve seen that incumbent lower prices. We also see states passing laws to prevent municipalities from engaging in a Publicprivate Partnership. What effect you think this is having a broadband employment . I think its detrimental. It takes important players off the field and stops the competitive dynamic from emergence. The areas where we have the most robust competition is where some competition has come in and incontinence have reacted. For smaller Rural Communities sometimes the only entity willing to step up as the community through itself through Publicprivate Partnership. To think that we would interfere with local processes were seen a thousand processes bloom across the country. This is and yes or no question, does anyone believe that we can successfully deploy unserved areas in Rural America without a federal investment . That it can be done through streamlining regulation and making deployment easy which i think is important we should be doing it is there anyone who thinks we dont need to appropriate money to solve this problem. Funding would be helpful on the Technology Neutral basis. You agree that we need funding. Support is needed. Lastly, we saw a memo that leaked out of the white house that focused on detail on our Network Cyber vulnerabilities particularly when it comes to foreign actors. The proposal of nationalizing our infrastructure im concerned that the white house and the president not fully address the rejected this troubling approach proposal. The security of our nations broadband issues critical. At the beginning of the tenure the fcc chairman rollback commission items related to Cyber Security included a notice of inquiry question how the fcc could secure 5g networks. Im concerned rolling back these measures i want to ask, do you think its wise for the fcc to rollback Cyber Security initiatives such as this . If the Relevant Federal Agency cannot ask questions about how to secure networks how can we hope to address this problem . Cyber security is critical for what we do, with respect to the question we think Cyber Security is best handled through a partnership with the department of homeland security. White house proposal and ill commissioners have characterized it well. In terms of Cyber Security we worry work on it every day and we need a partnership to make sure we understand the threats and what those committees are doing. The gentleman yields back. I recognize myself or questions. You all talked about tax reform and how it would help with investment. As we talk about changes in regulatory relief people focus on Big Companies and not always the smaller. You take a moment talk about how tax reform and regulatory relief affects your companies and deployment of broadband. They affect our companies, both large and small across the board. I had the opportunity to visit with small of art some of our Smaller Companies. Each have been elated by the idea that they can invest more and deploy more invest more in Research Development to expand nextgeneration networks provide new incentives for their employees its a meaningful step forward. Terms of Wireless Industry means forcing promises a new jobs and commitments to build up warm networks bring money back home and that underscores the capitalintensive industry like wireless. A lot of the regulatory relief we talk about they dont have the staff to manage the processes. As i said, lets take account of the successes that exists. Our Member Companies use private funds to deploy broadband. The benefit of the act cannot be ignored. When we look at resources we have to put back in their systems which we are doing. Ive heard to members have said the difference in the Corporate Tax rate will make more money available for the company to reinvest broadband serving hundreds and thousands more homes that would otherwise be uneconomic to serve. Thats help to give a boost not to mention the deregulation that has occurred. For Smaller Companies regulations affect them disproportionately. Few work customers to pass that regulation. The government takes into account the difference between small and rural to deploy sensibly and take into account i want to come now and speak briefly about the good things in tennessee. Northcentral tennessees spent like a quarter Million Dollars in historical reviews just to build out this. We mentioned 39 of real america is without broadband. Think people lose sight of the tennessee were talking about the first round of grants. Almost 10 million that has gone out. Dts see communication, 1. 765 million to use in smith and wilson counties. At 1. 4 million to expand that footprint and bring more people online. At the federal level we have 4. 53 billion in the u. S. That will be over ten years to expand the service into million role broadband that should come from the competitive reverse auction. We talk on specifics of how this serves to get more people online . You race important concept. How can measure whats going on courtney whats going on with the state level. Thats where things the committee is looking at like mapping and knowing where the underserved areas are so we can focus those resources were please fcc is circulating in order to restore some of the funding subject to the budget mechanism. That will go a long way. How do they know they have the resources to deploy. What tennessee has done is interesting, how do you take all of these pieces so we can thoughtfully build out to those consumers that have not had the opportunity to access. When that auction comes up its an opportunity for companies to edge out that are unserved we are hopeful those rules will be helpful. Thank you. Thank you very much, want to talk about two things, one is a bipartisan bill that i have and then the second is the question of the role broadband buildout. Thank you for good testimony. We have a bill that would require the fcc to define what is reasonably Comparable Service and reasonably comparable prices in rural and urban america. Weve seen an alarming approach by the current fcc chair thats dumbing down as i see it what successes. Could she respond to your view about the value of having the fcc on an ongoing basis give a concrete scientific answer reasonably comparable in rural versus urban areas. As i mentioned in the statistics and what the capacity is, we have to figure out how to ensure consumers demand to increase. How do we make sure youre not creating two Different Services between rural and urban america. Part of the issue that is the underlying problem is the high cost of deploying the network so when you look at the ability of the network to do standalone they may not want the Telephone Service or some of the things that come with it. Its going to take resources and support for things like universal service. U. S. To question that we do need federal funding. Ive heard a lot about Regulatory Reform and good ideas, that makes sense to me. Ive heard that the local efforts are important so what can we do to enhance that diminished. But there has to be money and in your written testimony as i have read it, you believe there is a need to deploy 5g. If thats the case would your folks commit that ural deploying 5g services at the same speed in Rural America . Will see 5g at the university of vermont it is to start dance. Thats obvious. To go where the market is. Theres no expectation on my part theres a fundamental policy question that only congress can answer, i get a shows the money in Rural America. There is a bill that they have based on a study that the fcc did senate when you 40 billion when we had questions about spending that wisely but of the panelists here, does that fcc figure, 40 billion for the hold up sound like a good number two . There are number of studies that indicated for monies are needed for reaching ubiquitous access. Not necessarily the green with one set of numbers or another, we do need to wreck funding and using universal funds as a platform for doing so. Even assuming that we do the things recommended with Regulatory Reform, the number that we are going to have to spend is in the billions of dollars, does anyone disagree with the. No. I do agree, unfortunately its more costly to build on a per user basis. Not just for capital cost but also operating costs. Thats a challenge we face. But directing the funding and making sure its wellsuited, the needs are the same, we all need highspeed and Scalable Networks that are capable of growing over time. I think the panel. In your testimony, you mention the finite federal resources should be targeted to ensure targeting to unserved areas that that funding is paradise. I couldnt agree more. And i have introduced a resolution stating as much. Could you expand on prioritizing federal funds to unserved areas of the country and are we able to earn learn from past mistakes while we are deciding how best to spend . As stewards of federal dollars of broadband providers in congress all of the republic have to be very cautious on how we use the dollars. To target a person purposes. Were focused on doing so with respect to reaching unserved areas where there is no access to broadband, the high cost areas require a partnering government directed funds using universal service methodologies. We believe its the appropriate way to go. There is no doubt that in order to fulfill the obligation thinking very carefully as were doing here today how we can expand that budget to me this great goal is a great priority. To you think this will require statutory change . Or can it be done administratively . I think it can be a combination of both. The commitment to fulfilling this that we have in the divine, to do so will cost tens of billions of dollars. In a direct funding model has been proving to be most efficient. We think both administratively there will be areas to achieve this goal. Would other members like to comment . I would like to say when i look at my membership its combination of universal membership along with support. You build the Business Case with universal service that allows folks to get Capital Funding to build the networks. Will be really important to think about building future networks. To look at the underserved of finite resources there were Building Networks to last into the future. I would agree there certainly is any as has been demonstrated in hardtoreach unserved area where federal funds can be important to close in that aspect of the Digital Divide. As we look at programs that are focused on unserved areas, ensuring were using reverse auctions to spend money wisely, these are good ideas to employ. The last thing we want to do is discourage private investment. One way you would do that is by permitting any situation or non Subsidized Internet Service provider would have to face subsidize competition. The disincentive so otherwise i think your target as it relates to focusing on areas where broadband is unserved lets make sure were not overburdening the survivors anyone else . Competition in this environment as in any environment gets better results. If theres going to be public funding for broadband deployment and offering it on a competitive basis so the best situated, most efficient and most motivated and strongest of the partners are able to bid for that kind of thing rather than offering it to single Soda Companies where theres no competitive benefit. Thats a proven strategy. We have 26 municipalities all nonpartisan data data together looking at models for how they can get the networks deployed into their neighborhoods and it is much more efficient in trying to do things like streamlining and permitting and finding citing for the Companies Working with private sectors so keep that in mind it would be much more effective if we allow them to work on this level. My thanks to the entire panel. Mr. Colon, you are recogniz recognized. There are more opportunities for people to make it a reality. Democrats on the committee have been working on ways to make sure everyone whether they live in rural areas have access to better more affordable Broadband Services and that is why weve introduced the left america act through the state programs to prioritize sending money to underserved areas and then some in the underserved areas and the institutions and building a next generation of systems. I want to start. Can you elaborate on why this is necessary . There is a case delivering broadband to the hardest to reach areas for the direct funding model. We understand american broadband providers are doing everything they can to extend opportunities but there are still areas that will require a partnership with government. We know the direct funding model again using platform to the universal service fund you use them in a logical way to advance that goal. Direct funding has been and will be the principal and the funding model for making it a reality of the closing Digital Divide. Over the past year, republicans have eliminated the privacy rights onlinprivate secd destroyed its neutrality and want to eviscerate the preservation law and theyve done this in the name of broadband deployment. The protections that bring broadband to those that have not served . I think that this will make more Profitable Companies whether better profitability in the area will not profit themselves. Its not clear to me that there is a link between the two things but there are certain kinds of regulatory relief or other kind of things extended to the Companies Based on the premise that it will lead to development in these areas but making sure that that actually happens and given greater Profitability Companies they may not further invest. Thank you. I understand the elimination will not make a meaningful difference at connecting those that dont have access to broadband but we do need to better understand the effect of the proposals. What would be the effect as some of the bills before us would do . V. Impacts can be very big. They are not large environmental problems. There are ways to the surface can do a programmatic impact statement that would make it very easy to get any required approval. Its not a major issue. I dont think that is a big problem. However, many of these cases it is state and local zoning but i think the issue i was talking about was mainly in the left bill talking about things well beyond broadband can have large Environmental Impacts we need to keep them strong and enforce so that peoples communities are not affected by large physical projects. They are never required and there isnt a big burden. Thank you very much. I yield back. Mr. Shimkus, you are recognized. An issue that we seem to continue to talk about and i am pretty proud of my coops and telephone companies. To start parlaying path towards broadband deployment. When we beat up the large corporations and their vulnerability, we want to incentivize these coops and families. This came from a local newspaper just january 28 not that i solicited this but i would like to ask unanimous consent to submit this for the record. A Harvard University study and the 27 Public Utilities they did say youre doing a good job but at the end of it there are hidden costs when you have a government run system. I do believe regulatory burdens slow the process down and especially the smaller compani companies. The key to the small position in this package is that its already being used. It is using current rightofway is a. When we are talking about citing the devices like this like the bill addresses right now that adds thousands of costs and review that we dont get back to the deployment of decreasing the cost of deployment. We need both state and local government and the federal government. Its going to take both for us to do this. How important is it for communication for the whole debate of the policy to apply equally regardless of technology . Technology is important as we think of the opportunities closing the Digital Divide. We support any innovation that will be able to deliver broadband through whatever Technology Since the communities in the institutions of periods to pull the broadband into as many communities as possible and to do so means Creative Partnership to exist between private investment which is on the table with a Strong Partner in government. The small providers disproportionately affected . They have fewer staff and resources, so obviously youre not dealing with broadband but also i want to commend you for the leadership because as you recognize that its also about a trading the network and what you are trying to address is the need to constantly be upgraded so that eases the process. A gentle man yields back. I am concerned that the recent action of eliminating Net Neutrality will open up the Digital Divide. I think the short answer to that is yes. The rationale for eliminating the availability is that it would enhance the deployment but i think that is comparing apples to oranges. This is a situation where we are trying to put communication capabilities in the hands of our lowest income people. Absolutely it will aggravate the Digital Divide and make an impact on many different populations. Theres just a lot of talk on how the lifeline phones are being used to connect with families. I appreciate the direct testimony. Can you provide us with some illustrations regarding the effectiveness of the Publicprivate Partnerships . Absolutely, thank you congressman. With the participation in the privatprivate sector into commus like in wyoming where the local community is planning to deploy infrastructure that will be made available to their private partners and business areas and districts where there is no adequate broadband anywhere in order to allow for businesses to thrive in that part of the community are our efforts and an parts of kentucky and West Virginia all over the country. And then even more ambitious and farsighted efforts San Francisco is considering a Publicprivate Partnership focused on ensuring 150,000 known currently have broadband because they cant afford it and had access to adequate speed. There is enormous creativity and they are participating and engaged. I cosponsored a bill that would help them to get lowinterest financing. Would that be helpful for building up access . I think it is a helpful approach because it makes it feasible for a local community to have lowcost financing to build infrastructure and make that infrastructure available. We all agreed on this panel that the cost of the deployment in certain markets is prohibitive. For the state, local and federal efforts can be targeted toward infrastructure and in some cases Service Provision will differ from communities but that is a mechanism to ensure that we get into the places that do not exist in an adequate way. Im going to move to cybersecurity. We have had experts testify in front of this committee. By 2020 it is projected there will be 20 to 50 million. Should we be concerned about the risk they are opposing to the Broadband Networks . It is a concern all broadband providers share that we need to be more focused on the resiliency of the security not only of the wired networks but also the wireless networks. Its a great progress for the opportunity in the country and the focus we have been getting is also being done with a broad set of colleagues or acquired cd companies and Information Technology Companies Increasingly joining to share the responsibilities to extend the greater security for the Broadband Networks including the internet of things. I had a lot mor have a lot ms but im running out of time. Thank you very much bound chair for holding this hearing this is very important. Access to highspeed broadband is a top priority of mine and i believe that congress should facilitate their robust Broadband Networks by creating a Regulatory Environment that encourages innovation. Thats why i introduced a resolution before the hous for t the broadband deployment should be competitively and technologically neutral to close the Digital Divide faced by the agricultural committees in america. If i could post my first question to you. Its a Central Source of revenue in the communities. The agriculture connectivity act requires them to recommend steps to obtain reliable measurements of the coverage in order to gain a better understanding of the true lack of access in america. Finding adequate accurate broadband mapping is impossible so what way would it be beneficial to obtain such data for the purpose of deploying highspeed broadband. We appreciate the leadership youve shown and this is truly the next frontier when we think about Economic Vitality and i think a lot of the initiatives you are looking at is how to gather that data to look at the track level and figure out where is the infrastructure and avoid because we know that you need to be able to see if whethe it whes a street level or on the cropland so when we look at some of the work that they have been doing and trying to figure out in a granular, transparent and accurate way when you get different entities, i think the focus is on how do w we coordine and aggregate and this will go a long way seeing where we need to focus the future energy and resources. What would you be looking at to make sure they are looking at the right data and they are not lookinlooking at two different . I think we saw a little bit during the stimulus where there was a National Broadband map. It wasnt checked. Some people were putting their own data and there was no research say is their coverage and as somebody that represents this i understand that there is a competitive concerned about the release that i also wonder if you have an entity looking at the data using two different measurements and different speeds, i think the ability to house it in one place where you have the ability to be consistent and transparent they need to see it develop. Its going to be the foundation for where we go in investment. Theres legislation thats part of the hearing inside report that it incentivizes this and also introduced the resolution for the policy with competitive atrocities of the government picking winners and losers out there. Are they doing anything comparable to the rollout of the coverage backs believed to when you look at the Broadband Service that is being developed by the members in Rural America we heard from the members telling us what they are doing and i heard from one company in kentucky delivered thing speed in eastern kentucky. I heard from a Company Called picardy telephone that is building in underserved areas one of our members in western pennsylvania. Whe has members all over the country providing service, 200, 300 megabits service so we are building the service as our customers and communities want us to do and what we ask. We look at the regulations that apply to helping broadband be deployed more effectively and safely do so oifwe do so on a ce natural basis i can tell you we have a lot of area that i visited personally with our men are his. And the neutral components we are providing the service and building the backbone that can help deliver this service down the road as it comes further up into our areas so we are up to the challenges. My time is expired and i yield back. I would be asking questions earlier that i had things in my office and i had to do some meetings. I got to hear from so many of my colleagues. About one fourth of iowa isnt as big as the chairmans district she likes to remind me that we have a lot of areas as you might imagine. Weve got to have a lot of private investment there is no doubt. Weve got to make sure we deal with regulations. We have worked together on that to make sure they are not unfairly subject to too many regulations so they can put their resources into building out and making sure that Rural America serves instead of filling out paperwork regulation and that sort of thing. I think we have more bipartisan support on a number of these issues. I am accustomed to hearing from broadband. Thank you very much madam chair. We talked today and i didnt realize he would steal quite so much of my thunder but really happy to work with him on a precision agricultural connectivity act very important in my district. But of course related to what he was talking about i did introduce the Rural Wireless access activity got it out of the subcommittee. That comes down essentially to i like to call it garbage in and garbage out if we dont have accurate maps we wont be able to make these decisions Going Forward. So a lot of this people like to see that we have a lot of common sense but the love of what is going on is commons that if we dont have accurate data whether it is a subset of something larger than we are not going to be able to make the decisions, Public Policy or been in a investment. One last point on that i heard hed been to northwest iowa and he drove an my hometown of sioux city to minnesota. He found out just how many problems there are with all kinds of things not to mention actual Broadband Services so i just want to ask you for already pretty much responded to what this is all about, so im going to skip you for a moment if thats okay. I would like to talk about that issue if you could making sure that we have the good data. I think working with those regional carriers we worked with the fcc and will have a better map Going Forward and hopefully start serving those areas that dont deserve today but this is the data have been looking for and will start very soon. I also want to thank you for your leadership and the important principle of what you cant measure you cant manage and this is true with respect to delivering broadband. Weve taken Great Strides as it has been streamlined to provide more coding for customers that actually have service into the next frontier is to actually try to do so with that kind of specificity for locations that dont have broadband yet and we believe we have to think creatively and innovatively outofthebox and think how to do so as long as we have the uniformity, one is the Census Bureau itself looking at the 2020 after. Their resources might be to bring that longitudinal and latitude. I would suggest mostly jokingly they talked with us and the rural districts because we can identify where the gaps are and are not. Ms. Bloomfield would you like to elaborate . We talk about your initiative on the wireless fund. Is that an initiative and the networks cant be built if you dont have the backhaul out and if we have more need for capacity and ability if youre like me and ive gotten lost in northwest iowa the ability to pull up the map and see where you are, you need that infrastructure so they go hand d in hand and Complementary Services and will be important. Thanks to all of you and thank you madam chair. Welcome to the witnesses. Lets please get warm regards to the boss, please get our regards. I would like to give my perspective about square miles. He talked about connecticut and oregon. For the record, texas is 268,597 square miles. My district, texas 22, is a small portion of that. 1,032 square miles, very small. Halfway between rural and suburban. But its so close to houston that isnt really applicable. But we do suffer a disaster. Hurricane harvey hits in august and after that, puerto rico was hit and the Virgin Islands as well. We have seen catastrophic wildfires in california with the floods because of the loss. As you all know it is important that we get the Communications Infrastructure up and running as quickly as possible to give these communities the help they need to recover as quickly as possible and thats why its probably on top of your pile, it is h. R. 45 called the connecting post disasters act and it makes a simple step by allowing the local communities to bypass the unnecessary historical views and replace damaged or lost towers and infrastructure. And also noted that we have a lot of cell towers exposed to the storm. Special were they came ashore in corpus christi. How important is it to the communications up and ready following a disaster, how important is that to fight the disaster . Its critical. Especially for temporary facilities. As we learned smart phones is what americans need to reach Public Safety let people know they are safe. Cell coverage is critical. When the storm is over our job is just getting started. How do we restore services to make them better. We have the opportunity to give you the most advanced network. For three straight nights we had warnings of the cell phones about tornado watches, flood warnings is coming out from the phone lines are to be, the cell phones my kids and my wife. Do you agree it makes sense to suspend parts of the view for reconstructing these telecommunication towers just to spend a certain amount of time to get rolling quickly as opposed to dragging it out . To bring back your economy and stitches, absolutely. Selective comments on this issue about disaster . We have four carriers in the path of harvey. I checked in with each. Thanks for the ability to build the future Proof Networks and to put switches underground, all my companies that were in the path rate never even lost service. Thats very important will. Your initiative to move forward is full not only in your community to support the broadband needs, but also is going to be meaningful for communities from the country including places rice to live near earthquake. California. Its a necessity that we as a nation provide mechanism to provide efficiencies of the these can be put back into place to serve communities. Your initiative is a step in were grateful. Have one question before you back. There is discussion and concern about the Football Game between the patriots the eagles, just have a question, are you okay, div of problem with the huge straw in the world chance for 91 days there . The gentlemens time have expired on that one. Thank you madame chairman. Im not going to get into since i dont have a dog in that fight. Good luck to all. Thank you mr. Olson for bringing up some of the issues related to disasters. Another is a response. Its important to note that in the Northern California and napa and sonoma counties the cell phones do not work. Life is not tidy. Fires dont just occur between the time people get out maybe 7 00 oclock in the morning and retire at 10 00 oclock at night. Were it not for the Public Safety people going toe to door and banging on doors in the middle of the night to arouse people, to get them out of their homes. They fled in their nightgowns and underwear, that was it. The fires were at the back of their houses and the roofs had started burning. The other alert was dogs barking so much awaken them. We cant live in a bubble that we have something, i think its wonderful and american invention and a computer in our pocket, but we should not allow ourselves to dream on and say we have something in it will alert everyone. We have to think outside the envelope. I think the gentlemen for raising. I have to go downstairs for another hearing of the Health Subcommittee and wanted to come back and ask a few questions here. When you think of the biggest impediments to deployment that you see in communities, and certainly in Rural Communities theres specifics that apply to Rural Communities. But you spoke clearly about the hartford area. As born and raised in connecticut so its nice to have you here think with the committee needs is some pinpointing by of specifics that will actually will remove impediments to employment. Neither bill constantine. But to both of you, whoever wants to go first. I couldnt agree more about the importance of some of those particular issues. We talked about rural challenges, there are some acute urban challenges that get less discussion. Sometimes not even recognize. Small business areas and urban and suburban areas are less served in many cases the residential customers. Thats because the traditional footprints of the cable industry was to go to the residences in the community thats great most metropolitan areas. What you see the advertisements on tv for the commercial site. Come do business with us and we can serve your Small Business the best. If infrastructure isnt there it will be very costly. It Small Business is not a business thats not slam toward the private sector, thats a private investor works. But there is none discussed conversation that should be had about the fact that Small Business areas struggle will remarkable levels as to very low income neighborhoods because its not Business Case. 530 seconds left. The resuming focus on hartfords work contacted by officials who did a survey and found their unable to connect to the internet because theyre being for prices of a thousand 30,000 dollars for street costing. As high cost of street costing. Will i do know thats a reality. Its where we need to make progress. Madam chairwoman, what unanimous consent that i be able to place the harvard study that i referenced in my own thing comments today. Deals with communities being able to set up their own municipal broadband. So order, without objection. Thank you is a good hearing. Now the gentlemen leaving our broadband expansion efforts, mr. Thank you madame chair. This is an important hearing. Live in a rural appellation i hear all the time about the urban rural divide. Its very real. Places businesses will not come into because they cant get access to their suppliers or customers provide training for their employees coming got children that have to go to another county or a local township or Public Library to get access to do school projects. Water intellectual capital hispanic nor. Thats one of the main reasons is pleased to sponsor hr 4810. An important step to solving the Rural Broadband issue and expanding deployment is finding out where those unserved areas are. As some of you on the panel and i have discussed, just because one facility for location in a census block says theres coverage, thats not true. So, we need this legislation that directs the assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information to create the National Broadband map and reasserts ntas authority to do so. Many rural areas find themselves on the wrong side of that urban rural divide. We know highspeed internet is not a luxury its a necessity. Especially in this Technology Driven global marketplace. Ill continue to drive this issue hard and working with my colleagues to break down the barriers to broadband deployment particularly in rural areas. Mr. Gilling, from your perspective you mentioned any new funding should ensure reaching areas unserved by wireless is reflected in the programs objectives. Making funding decisions better date is key. And Rural Broadband is no exception. Do you agree with my assertion that the maps are inaccurate . We dont have a good definition of the unserved and underserved areas are . We can and should do better. To have suggestions on how we can ensure better data of unserved areas . Their commercial tools available we can start informing our process. We have to set idea what were measuring what a satisfactory coverage. The baseline of what we think we need to do a measure consistently across the board. I can tell you what satisfactory coverages. s coverage. Its access. But i appreciate your answer. Ms. Bloomfield, can next line the benefits of having an accurate broadband map. I know weve discussed this. The ability to get granular, clear and transparent make sure you are coordinating. Talking about a federal entity and making sure were coordinating between those gathering data. Youre comparing. I think the focus on the ability to access the spectrum will be important. In the written testimony you mention the need for a single authoritative source that can provide accurate data on a granular level and consistent basis, when updating the broadband map, should in tia use forms form 77 data and is it detailed enough . If not how would you recommend obtaining the data . I think thats the best data thats collected from all broadband providers. Then you can make sure everybody thats in the pool is submitting the data. Still Self Reporting. You make sure theres a way to check that theres revocation to think thats important. Having it spread across entities will lead to confusion and i get the results are looking for. Thank you. My time is expired. Ms. Clark, he recognized for five minutes. I think i think our panelists with excellent testimony of this morning. Ive had the honor of introducing and establishing the congressional smart city caucus along with my colleague and congressman. As cochair of this caucus i know deploying broadband in her city is critical. We in Congress Must more to make sure deployment is ubiquitous and address the 10 million americans in urban areas that dont have access to broadband as defined by the fcc. Of course be answered the connecting broadband doesnt 2018 with bobby rush. The fcc will be tasked with reviewing the state of deployment and broadband deserts and will be required to take action. If its not recurring at a reasonable pace. What type of issues weve heard about this the question was asked by what issue to be currently assumed that every part of the city is already connected. What can we do to help address these issues . Its an excellent question. I talked about the homework cap that we see continuing in tax on Small Businesses. You continue the cycle of lack of opportunity for these areas when they dont have access to broadband. This panel is delightful that its almost undisputed that Everybody Needs access to it. Some of the most effective things we can do is allow governments to be part of the dialogue. It does concern me as chair when these repeated references to removing barriers at state local levels. Those governments are trying very hard to move the needle on these things. In connecticut were been working for years on a syncopal administrator. Onestop shopping to connect to utility poles. Its also in part for smart cities. How can we coordinate digging up the streets. The important but complex issues. Did you have something you like tech . From the smart city standpoint and smart communities the infrastructure is critically important. As well as the divide persist and who has access the services move on to the infrastructure more and more will be less access by some members of the community. I risk is that this that impacts low income folks and it will get more more pronounced over time. The other concern thats been flaked is one of Cyber Security. For talk about smart cities and gaps coverage, would you speak to what having those full abilities could mean from a National Perspective . Have the opportunity to serve in the working group and talking about was importance of protecting those networks. Ive 850 carriers people tend to think of those carriers but we need to make sure the small carriers have the ability to protect their networks. Sometimes they assume where the networks are vulnerable is where the problems happen. Were spending time and resource educating are small operators that will be important as we move on to the internet of things. I applaud your efforts to make her citys smarter in our communities safer and secure. Were taking it seriously and have launched an initiative to make sure our companies who share vulnerability can do Incident Response and reporting more effectively. Our enemies are getting more smarter by the day. We had to think of this not just as the challenge of broadband providers but the entire ecosystem. You back. Mr. Guthrie, your recognized. Thank you. I apologize. I did hear mr. Johnsons testimony are questioning another understand their other questions about mapping. The fact that we have to get more granular data this is really to the providers, given the need for Service Providers proprietary asset information in our need for more granular broadband information is there pathway for good to street level understanding that meets both needs . I think so. The technology is not only being deployed by the federal government but by those advanced by the private sector. Opportunity to afford think about how we can streamline and make it uniform approach to a mapping exercise so were not merely identifying addresses but geocoding longitudinally relevant locations we need to deliver broadband. Thats why i said first its fantastic that youre working to come up with Creative Solutions Going Forward to knowing the fcc will be driving this process forward needs to meaningfully coordinate with the fcc to avoid duplication and confusion. We need to think about the other assets including the Census Bureau using its resources to map and locate areas where there is not institutions and residences where theres not yet Broadband Access. Thank you for the leadership. Deco the comments. Support marshaler resources. It will take a partnership of all these companies and the government to figure out how best to do it. Weve talked about streamlining. The thing i would encourage is we dont look at creating multiple burdens. So companies having to do is reporting to through four different agencies. The mechanisms you put in place . I think you need to designate who takes the lead. How do you actually designate where the point is and agree to warm former processing data to be collected. And then a challenge processed richer that the data is accura accurate. Mapping is essential. We have to know where we need to build. There needs to be a partnership. Whatever technological means we can determine where broadband is necessary. This will come down to information from the provider and the most hardest to reach areas hell have Small Companies that have very small staff, the people they employ are the ones climbing the polls and serving customers of the commerce. The dont have deep legal staff so for them to take the time to fill out the information required is a burden. Certainly the Self Reporting is important and essential is a piece of how we determine where broadband is or isnt. Nice to be a broader and deeper position of what is the baseline of information we want to obtain. How can we obtain and who will be the providers. Some of the previous mapping efforts in 2009 14 what are some efficiencies and Lessons Learned . Providers can go as you want. What should we do different . Paperwork. When you forms to fill out by Small Companies who do not have the legal regulatory background, to determine census blocks and tracks, obtaining the data to populate the maps, its difficult for Small Companies to accomplish. Its final but it has to be part of a publicprivate purpose. Thank you. Tailback. Mr. Collins you recognize for five minutes. I think you for holding this hearing Broadband Access is important to our role communities as our reliance on the internet grows. Some states like new york are working to complicate this issue. Glad to see bipartisan bills here is subject to the committee hearing. As we focus on infrastructure such as roads and bridges and airports, 65 of my district are underserved. My bill, hr 4798 considers inventory of assets for communication facilities act of 2018. Lets at least know what we got. So i made the comment of the big guys already know we got. Maybe they do or dont, certainly some of the smaller suppliers may be those that end up coming into some of the role communities could see some value. As commonsense as this is im presuming you would support an inventory of assets. Is not only commonsense but is music to her ears encourage that to happen. Where is the mapping takes place will be able to deliver broadband where federal infrastructure and assets are connected to broadband they become more costeffective and have life large lifespans we approach her effort for thinking it through. I think is something companies dont know i think its a critical transparency big vehicle. Auto to commend you for keeping it Technology Neutral. That will be important. Access to technology is important. Particularly for Smaller Company the cost of technology you need to deploy is about the same weather in rural new york or manhattan. Having access to resources is important. Im not aware of any of idea that has existed where information would be made available to Smaller Companies. Look forward to working with. You 5g device in. We do have a lot more 5g devices than the big towers. We talked about federal access i know exactly where we can start. If you want to win the race we need all the information we can get. To any other witnesses want to make it,. I think its incredibly important to know where the assets are whether broadband is its also print to be independently they can rely on the date and its reliable. Now to mr. Cramer. I have patients, im not sick and by the way, thank you for the hearing thank you for your testimony. It really didnt require patience at all. I appreciate everyone being here. I admit when i hear about these sparsely populated states like romanus are feeling guilty. When i look at north dakotas hard to claim a divide. Over 90 of our population has 100 mvps or more. Paul theres still a few spots, or folks to a great job. You know well that many of your members in north dakota where broadband before broadband was cool. Theyre efficiently using federal support funds to build up broadband long before as mandated by tradition or policy. One thing i worry about we want to have that bridge and i would be crazy to have an interstate they wanted to gravel in montana or something. As the generations, and to manske greater places like north dakota on a business is really important. Even Safety Systems that have to work the oil and gas pipelines. I big transmission lines, however that will require up. As we talk about the efficient deployment of federal funds i want to make sure we have protections for upgrading as well. Your spot on. Thank you for your leadership on these issues. People are surprised that that dakota has a fiber rich state. In part one year that rural you see what broadband can do to narrow the gap that geography creates. Economic development and the ability to make sure the economic enterprise could be supported. People get so focused on building they forget about they have to maintain the network. Unless you dont have anything but the capacity. The other thing the ability for carriers to collaborate. They created a state Fiber Network and if they can build that out further all the carriers benefit. In the state benefits. Theres only three states that have less population density but 20 states and territories that have less connectivity. Some of the other states have federal lands, we do not. Its not a barrier for us. Think state policy does matter. I agree that community should have competitiveness there should be a minimums dander to make sure the country is connected. The cost of maintaining and upgrading networks for underserved areas is only escalating. Windows were sand this spike in the data put through these networks from a small number of Internet Companies this is becoming more profound. I agree with your insight and your initiative to not only thing through opportunities to serve communities impacted by disaster to better serve communities. We learn things that could be helpful. Why not applied across the board. When you talk about upgrades is important to remember how they are accomplished. One thing i mentioned tonight comments were the issue of pole attachments. Its important when you have whether its an attachment to a polar conduit seems like the policies that any time something happens to the polar conduit its a new starting point for long application process rather than saying how can we simplify the process. Simplifying it to make sure we get attachments on the polls and internet lines through the conduits. I hope you back to that in. The seriousness of popular today to the committee for questions. Thank you for hosting this hearing today. I hear from constituents across my district on the need for broadband expansion. Is excited to see the bill and the discussion which i sponsored was part of the focus. We dont have the time to have an indepth discussion. Pro tem for thomas legislation and think the groups of a poster cosponsored the legislation include eight members of the committee. So i think jonathan with yours telecom for your call to action to move forward to having case with industry and organizations and believe this is a bill we can work on in support. I asked as we move forward we take a closer look at legislation like access broadband lets have a discussion on what we can improve them with the bills forward. Hr 3994 expand service, Small Business resource opportunities and data based on access need. Who would use existing resources to streamline management and simplify the process for Small Businesses to access them. Broadband Internet Access is the difference between success and failure for students doing homework, jobseekers, doctors or entrepreneurs. The federal government has done a poor job of tracking broadband deployment. There is no comprehensive system that tracks where its going. Investments are made with little accountability. Ten agencies to a better job of coordinating federal resources and what are some of the problems we see . I think it would be helpful as others are not a simple matter. It would be helpful because wed be collecting better dead and knowing how public fins are being spent. Federal governments a big buyer so its dollars are being spent to deploy infrastructure and make it more economical. Also be helpful with things knowing where public assets are an example would be at the state and local level theres some confusion among private companies about whether assets built these can be used for broadband purposes whether public or private. It would be nervously helpful in time of saving honestly that could unlock more Broadband Development. Yes. The information is always going to be better. Lack of information like the map thats in sufficiently granular and what theyre doing and spending makes it that much harder to plan in an efficient and pragmatic way. Kelly board to donate to simplify the process for Small Businesses and local economic developers. I think so. Its an innovative step to liking the opportunity. Not only to recognize that we have to do better but the more our Small Enterprises can have a greater understanding of how theyre being directed and manage the the opportunities to create more efficiencies. Were grateful but also your foresight to making sure we can do better in unlocking the opportunities. I agree. I would add that its important that those assets having the particular purpose to do with the agencies and their its critical no asset is ever compromised by secondary use. All of these kind of infrastructure assets of the first primary use. Subject to that there is enormous potential value of the coordinator planned approach. So the federal government knowing and having the impact of the spending right a lot of direction. Civic thank you for allowing me to test yields back. Say there no further members you recognize. A press release from todays hearing of a story on the National Security councils plan the powerpoint slides the memo about letter. Without objection. Pursuant to Committee Rules all members have ten days to submit questions. We would as that you respond intent is to those questions. Without further business the committee is adjourned. [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible]this event was hostee washington university. [applause] sen. Sanders thank you. Thank you