Transcripts For CSPAN2 Senate Hearing On Oversight Of FCC 20240712

Including Broadband Access during coronavirus expanding broadband to rural areas telehealth funding and president trumps executive order on social Media Companies. Three hours 25 minutes. Good morning this hearing will come to order todays hearing on the oversight of the fcc. And they are here today and a special welcome to our a distinguished panel for appearing today we will hear from sec chairman pai commissioners. The sec is the nations primary regulator interstate and International Communications networks a core part of the agencys mission is to ensure all People United states have access to rapid and efficient nationwide Communications Services at reasonable prices never before has the responsibility to achieve this mission have been more important covid19 spotlight on the Communications Networks in the American Peoples access to Broadband Service since march there has been a dramatic and sustained a surge in Internet Usage us networks have performed well and we are much better to reach this increased demand it should be applauded but still work to be done. Today there are far too Many Americans who are not served and lack Affordable Access to any broadband connection. I appreciate the fccs continued efforts under chairman pai leadership to close the Digital Divide and secure us leadership in the next generation of Communications Technologies especially during this pandemic. Through the keep america connected pledge over 700 providers voluntarily committed not to turn off Broadband Services to any residential or Small Business customers because of the inability to pay their bills. This has been pivotal to keep Many Americans connected. Clearly, businesses participated in the pledge cannot sustain that effort indefinitely. We need to engage in a thoughtful debate about ways to t transition and i welcome the sec work to the Telehealth Program of the bipartisan cares acted is designed to provide access to critical lifesaving Telehealth Services to direct access and quality care during the Global Health crisis. Todays hearing is an opportunity for commissioners to discuss what more could be done for Broadband Access and Digital Opportunity for all americans. Beginning with implementation of the broadband data act. As i have said many time accurate broadband maps are essential to targeting funds and other broadband resources to the underserved areas and tcommunities in need. To ensure the success of new programs that the sec accurate broadband maps with precise data about where broadband is available and where it is not and what speed i hope that commissioners will h outline what is necessary to comply with the law before moving forward with 5g i appreciate commissioners oreilly c commitment last week he would not support moving forward with the 5g find until the fcc completes the new maps required by the broadband data act. In addition to developing accurate maps Congress Needs to explore the feasibility to allocate more resources for broadband deployment two areasfo that are not economical to serve her to families that have experienced Economic Hardship as a result of the pandemic. I look forward to discussing the accelerated Broadband Connectivityty act which would incentivize providers to expedite broadband buildouted plans. I hope commissioners will discuss ways to provide immediaTe Connectivity relief to schools. Minority communities and families experiencing Economic Hardship because of the coronavirus. Another part to make broadband universally available is to have a Regulatory Framework to foster investment with broadband deployment im sure that commissioners will want the upgrade order which for the installation of Wireless Communications equipment with the regulatory process to delay indefinitely stall broadband deployment and that leadership for the upgrade and with those Internet Connections a professionalal healthcare and the security of the networks and supply chains any comprehensive Broadband Legislation should have network and supply chain csecurity. With the newly authorized for broadband. Hope that commissioners will discuss funding needs for that Critical Program and to increase Network Security and reliabilit reliability. Finally section 230 of the Communications Decency act is intended to preserve a vibrant and competitive online marketplace for the benefit of all americans. To protect Computer Services such as social media platforms from being held liable for the content hosted by their users. Section 230 specifically allows interactive to restrict access to the availability of content that is obscene or lewd or lascivious or filthy were excessively violent, harassin violent, harassing, or otherwise objectionable. I am troubled by recent reports that suggest some Online Platforms and with those conservative voices to impose unfair bias through the policies and terms of service. Mastery the federalist in anan online magazine said the publication would be removed from googles advertising platform because of complaints from nbc news about content of the federalist comments section. The information i have is that they were indeed derogatory. However policing offensive content is one thing but the monetization of the entire site is another. Just yesterday we learned of comments by facebook moderators that seem to confirm the blatant anti conservative bias. It appears to be debate of section 230 it is clear each side has a responsibility to ensure the internet remains a forum for a true diversity of political discourse. That promotes competition and innovation with the merits of section 230 and if modifications are necessary to promote more transparency and accountability and thank you to my friend and then the Ranking Member for the opening remarks she chooses to make. Thank you for holding this important and timely hearing its good to see all the commissioners here in person. A rare opportunity. The sec comes before us in a pivotal moment. If we were still in any doubt the covid crisis made its impact clear to us its very clear today when it comes to the issue of broadbandnco. It is an essential service. Many americans are trapped on the other side of the Digital Divide. At least 18 million americans without access to broadband even that number could be artificially low. 12million children and then wondering what the fall would bring its imperative we deal with this issue in the state of washington 16 percent of families with children have no access to broadband and 31 percent of households on tribal landus lack access to broadband compared to 7 percent of nontribal areas. We must expand highquality affordable broadband in underserved or unserved communities so americans who are being isolated during the pandemic can learn remotely and i would also say have access to healthcare it is so critical rule communities increase the abilityit to use broadband as a tool to help deliver medicine at this critical time. We have a real opportunity lere to close the Digital Divide that i know it will take being bold it wont be accomplished in incremental change but require significant investment our colleagues a promise more than 100 billion we have to make sure low income minority tribal communities with connectivity is an issue we do address and invest in programs to promote literacy and Digital Adoption to target these marginalized communities h. Chairman i wrote a march with asking for consideration of the existing authority with the policies or rule makers to help ensure the nation during the covid crisis specifically what takehome emergency actions facilitaTe Connectivity with Remote School work being done during crisis. D im not interested of that aggressive walk to industry to make sure millions of children are caught in the gap to not do their homework cannot fall further behind i am looking for emergency orders by the commission and yet nothing is happened. I am concernedrn i know were in a very high profile dispute that the sec has decided against with experts to work out Aviation Transportation safety and National Security it would be tempting is just another sign of internal chaos but i believe it is more than that it seems to me the agency is the standard for public broadband policy. Da f today dismisses and with that terrestrial broadband. Know where is this any more obvious in the legato decision despite opposition from executive branch industries and others it would cause harm to the gps sector critical to safety operations. Despite a fundamental disagreement over competing studies of which theremi were man many, the sec continues to move forward. I hope today we can discuss this issue. I believe the fcc should not be the place to just move forward and have a discussion to make sure that these issues are well addressed. It is important to the issues move forward because this issue of spectrum will not go away but will become even more in demand and if you thank you are just the default agent to exacerbate the problem, you can see it hasnt gone away just moved over to the Armed Services committee. I would ask you to think about how we will do a better w process with the interest on increased need for spectrum in the future. I know many other issues we want to discuss but i will leave my remarks and ask i have to go to the floor but i will return forqu questions im sure others will jump in in my ceabsence thank you for being here in person. Thank you senator. We are recognizing in this order, start with the chair then commissioners in terms ofth seniority. We will begin with honorable chairman pai chair of fcc with a written testimony in full and ask you to summarize. You are recognized. Members of the committee and Ranking Member i appreciate you inviting me to sec. Fy and update on the with the pandemic and conductivity is more important nethan ever to rely on broadband and telework to stay in touch with loved ones thats what we have been using every resource at our disposal to deal with this unprecedented National Emergency. Most importantly i challenge broadband providers in march to take the keep american pledge not to terminate the service of Small Business consumers because of the inability to pay theirbi bills more than 780 providers took the pledge including all the nations largest it is critical with connectivity for millions of americanns consumers these companies cannot continue to provide Service Without being paid for an indefinite period of time and the pledge ends on june 30th i call on them for those that have fallen behind on their bills butn instead adopt extended payment plans for those had a chance to catch up that transition. Gives congress the chance to provide funding to ensure Many Americans have continued access to Broadband Services along these lines i applied chairman wicker with the Digital Equity framework to welcome the opportunity to work with the committee on this and other activities. Speaking of funding thank you for establishing the Telehealth Program as part of the cares act the sec has worked with the to adopt rules to open the application p p ahiw for the submissions we have received as of thiss morning 444 applications in 46 states and the District Of Columbia for a total 156 million from the Franklin County hospital to the Health Center in seattle this is enabling Healthcare Providers to treat for patients and doctors and nurses and during the National Emergency the numbers have been tested like never b before i am pleased to say they have performed extremely well double broadband speeds are now higher than they were before the pandemic it the record fiber has made a real difference but we cannot rest on our laurels thats why the fcc is continuing to take aggressive steps for 5g deployment. In july we will have 70 megahertz of spectrum auctioned in the gigahertz band also the public auction the spectrum of the sea band in december because satellite operators have committed to relocation this will become available for 5g two or four years earlier than would have been the case. We have a major Court Victory that tried to stop the progress thank you to chairman wicker and soon for their leadership on this issue. Tribal priority is now and not on the prime did beer and spectrum before we hold the auction next year and unanimously to open the entire band for unlicensed use a test bed for innovators and innovation we almost finished that transition because it has gone well now it is provided throughout america on the megahertz band. Finally a personal and professional priority it is a matter of life and death. Suicide prevention three weeks from today the sec will vote on final rules to designate 988 a new nationwide three digit number two staff the National Suicide prevention lifeline making it easier for those in crisis who can help we can save lives to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. Hitting those levels especially for vulnerable populations lgbtq youth this number 988 can make all the difference and thank you to Senators Gardner and baldwin for the bipartisan leadership on thisor issue members of the committee thank you for holding this hearing i look forward to answering your questions today. Precisely five minutes. Thank you very much. Commissioner . Welcome. Its good to see you today from a safe distance. And then to fill the streets in largest cities and small towns and with the mutual bonds to have more places so let me start by telling you about a conversation a few weeks ago with the middle School Teacher a small town in northern vermont one of those places perfect for a postcard it couldve happened anywhere rural or urban america. E surface to, classes, work, healh care and emergency. That is something thats not surprising, because the crisis has exposed the hard truth. Our Digital Divide is real and big. You see it in stories like this one and you also see it from nationwide parking lots, wifi is a big thing, where the signal is free. People are just trying to maintain a semblance of normal life. We can do better. First, we need a clear parents for broadband for all. A few weeks ago the fcc released its annual report. It was a glowing assessment that all is well in only 18 million americans do not have access to broadband, but that isnt credible. The number is based on the same problematic b methodology called for us to stop using them to broadband data act. Despite having made no efforts to improve the dubious broadband data, the fcc is about to hand out billions in support with the new Digital Opportunity fund based on maps we know are wrong. Its also proposed the same course with the wireless fun. We cant afford to delay the improved data any further wcause without it, we will never be a debate for sure we are targeting to support the right places. We believe communities. We also kept their focus to just the client. We need to address their ears to adoption because the Digital Divide isnt just a problem in rural america. By some estimates there are three to four times as many households without Internet Access in urban and suburban areas. Second, we need a clear plan to fix the gap. We need to work during the summer mom is so come fall, no stupid about the access they need to go to class online. The fcc could do this with the program right now, but if you choose to address the gap through legislation, i hope we can move faster so no child is left offline. Third, we need a plan to keep allamericans connected. The fcc come at the chairs direction, secured a commitment from the carriers they will not cut off consumers during the crisis. But that comes to an end this month, and we should worry about whats on the other side. With skyhigh unemployment rates we need to extend the commitment. We also have to rethink the program from top to bottom and we should have a broader conversation about the data paths and overage fees. Fourth, we need a plan for a secure 5g future. If we want to be the leader in the next generation of wireless, we need a whole of government approach to 5go service that we dont have one. The strategy is nearly a year overdue and federal authorities. Are fighting in public about access to 5g spectrum bands. We also have work to do to secure supply chains and need to address the security of the growing internet. We need a clear plan to secede local media and stand up for the First Amendment. Local news is vital. The economics that underlay the industry are changing. To meet the challenges, i believe they should study the rules and identify how we do support local media and diversity. One thing we should do is compromise our values including those in the First Amendment. Nowhere is this clearer than in the recent executive order concerning section 230 of the Communications Decency act. I know that social media can be frustrating, but an executive order that would turnbu the fcco the president s Speech Police cannot be the answer. Finally, we need a plan to learn from this crisis so we can take stock of changes in the Network Demand and use what we discover to inform the efforts of the future. Thank you. I look forward to answering any questions you might have. Thank you very much, commissioner rosenworcel. Commissioner oreilly, welcome back. We have made this a weekly thing. Refer not to, that if you want i will be here. You are recognized. Members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to be here to discuss important matters before the commission. Since you have my lengthy testimony, i thought it best to focus my comments on a few topics. At the forefront of my priority is bringing Broadband Access to underserved areas as expeditiously as possible. One outstanding idea is to provide financial incentives to accelerate broadband deployment obligations through funding provided by congress. , think the chairman, senator blackburn and capito for introducing the accelerated Broadband Connectivity bill and will continue to work on this important initiative. I also commit to working with members of congress implementing obligation under the broadband data act. Ive been critical of the fcc data or purpose of just getting the broadband funding and apply the efforts that led to mass statute signed intthe massstatur this year. I agree we must produce accurate coverage before moving forward with any new subsidy mechanisms. Switching gears to the spectrum, one of the primary obligations is to allocate and license the spectrum for commercial purposes to accommodate the incredible demand for the spectrum uses, existing licensees of commercial and federal we must relocate for ushering the footprint or cease operations. While sometimes there are opportunities to end ties trough voluntarily altering the current usage of broadcast incentive option or the satellite services, the vast majority of the efforts required honestly assessing the current usage to actively make changes to the holdings of the spectrum is not appropriately used. But they take a moment to discuss because im sure this will come up sooner or later. It would be correct to say that in 20 plus years little progress has been made in deploying the rosenworcel technology mandated by the commission. To put a point on this matter, the dsr deployment in the universal technology is limited to only a few thousand gm cadillacs. The automobile manufacturers are deploying this in the current models that we are seeing that no one has dated any plans to use at all in the u. S. In the future. Moreover, the safety purposes are usurped the other technologies to utilize other onectrum bands. On top of this, new Technology Based on the wireless standard [inaudible] has gained prominence in many Automobile Companies that are actively considering it for the auto safety enhancements. The commission is trying to balance the reality of the circumstances with increasing the demand for the wireless spectrum. In this case, the community has sought to share a portion of the gigahertz band for the sufficient amount of dedicated automotive safety purposes. Consider the American Families right now being connected to broadband over that via wireless beyond the temporary commission authority. Millions of americans could enjoy connectivity from expanded wifi of the Commission Moves forward on the approach to allow unlicensed operations of a portion of the band while preserving the spectrum from automobile safety systems. In termsaf of freeing up spectrm for the future wireless offerings, the most idea then after cbn is the three dot one to three dot five gigahertz band. The spectrum singled out by the committee in the mobile now act after looking at this matter closely, i respectfully argue upwards of 200 megahertz needs to be clear for the exclusive use of commercial services for the bulk of the remainder available for the shared use. In ahe same time, congress and the Commission Must Work Together by takin taking his ren tit reactionto replenish the sp, future spectrum pipeline which lies near empty. We should seven gigahertz for the licensed or unlicensed use. Separately, i hope the committee will look closely at the proposal included in my written testimony including to expedite the employment, established the International Commissioner and modify the commissions marketing and import rules to promote device innovation. I think the committee and look forward to answering any questions the members may have. Thank you very much, sir. Commissioner carr. Chairman, distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the opportunityrs to testify. Its a privilege to appear before you with my fcc colleagues. Since we must testify, the country has been seized by a pandemic that has seriously altered americans lives. Our daily routines, driving to work, sending our kids off to withl, even catching up friends or appended. Staying at home prompted us to recreate these routine online instances. A massive transition may be Internet Connections more important than ever. With so Many Americans relying on the internet, it was incumbent on providers and the commission to ensure continuous quality service. Im proud of our efforts to meet this at the moment. First, the private sector and regulators join together to make sure the pandemic related Financial Stress in our own support roles did not cut off service when americans needed it the most. The trends keep america connected pledge opened up free wifi hotspots and the famil keps online for job descriptions. Ic a cleared the way for the providers to donate tablet so kids can learn from home, waved the white labels and provided flexibility for services vital to the deaf and hard of hearing. Second, we track the surge in Network Traffic and took steps to expand capacity. With the pandemic, internet traffic spiked about 25 on six networks of around 20 on mobile. Throughout all of this, americas networks fared exceptionally well. In other countries, they were not so fortunate. Their networks to stream to maintain quality and speed. In europe, officials asked netflix to reduce their video quality. Yet, our networks showed no significant degradation in latency or speed. The Wireless Networks fall speed increases. By contrast, china saw up to a 40 reduction in speed, joining many other countries that experienced significant declines. Americas networks performed because of the private sector is massive investment in the internet infrastructure. In 2018, for example, in americas wireless providers invested 70 more per subscriber than their counterpartsri in europe. In 2019 from our wireline providers to more wires of highspeed fiber than ever before. Those investments increased speed and pulled families across the Digital Divide. All of this investment is especially important to advancing 5g. Thent Service Launched here in e u. S. In 2018. Today 5g networks are live in 380 communities across the 50 states, making us home to the worldsrl leading 5g platform. The Networks Performance under stress, the 5g buildout, all of this investment didnt happen by chance. They are fostered by the light touch regulatory approach and infrastructure. At the commission, i fled the Infrastructure Modernization efforts. We updated federal historic and environmental rules. We both on commonsense reforms adopted by states. In two weeks ago, we acted to expedite the upgrade of thousands of towersan to 5g. While the wireless towers were upgraded to 5g, theres another wave of upgrades happening on broadcast towers. The, upgrade to 3. 0 that allows broadcasters to offer a 25 megabits per second download speed over the same powerful spectrum that americans value for tv. Hes beethese new broadcast intt services can be used from yteverything. I was pleased they voted to promote a nationwide development of the services. Diile we are discussing upgrading the towers, Americans Care about these investments because of the lifechanging services delivered over those networks. A few services can be more lifechanging antiwhite health. My trip to mississippi withn senator wicker, i first learned about a new connected to care. Back then we have no idea how hw important providing care at a distance would be. But because of the legwork restarted after that visit, the fcc was able to stand up to the covid19 telehealth in record time and build on the Lessons Learned. Finally, after discussing our work to accelerate the infrastructure and investment, i would be remiss if i didnt update you on the efforts to secure their networks. As you know, we prohibited to subsidize either from on trusted vendors from going into the networks. We are looking at removing any such equipment that made its way into the networks. We are considering whether to revoke the authority certain carriers to connectut the networks. As Congress Considers additional action, one step i recommend is to promote swift transition to softwarebased networks which will advance the National Security goals while decreasing the cost of building out the networks. In closing i want to thank you again, chairman and Ranking Member cantwell and distinguished members of the committee for holding this hearing. I look forward to your questions. Thank you very much. Now we recognize commissioner starks. Stir chairman, Ranking Member, members of the committee, thank you for inviting me today. Its not a historical moment. So far more than 2 Million People in the United States have been infected with covid19, over 119,000 have died. Unemployment has hit its highest level since the Great Depression and billions of children have missed months of an classroom education. This has profound implications for the fcc, and i look forward to discussing that with you. Today, however, i want to shed light on an additional perspective by speaking not only as an fcc commissioner, but an africanamerican father of two Young Children who deeply care about my country and my community. The civil protests of the last few weeks have sparked a movement that has sent he centen the black experience in america. Each of us has our own unique, personal narrative about being black in america. But theres also a common story, a shared experience, a collective thread. Over the past fe last few weeksa tighter bond has formed through shared emotions here. Frustration, and most of all of course, hope. Last week, alongside the civil rights leaders al sharpton [inaudible] i published an oped on broadband with a particular focus on communities of color. Our historic failure to close the Digital Divide have a devastating impact on American Communities of color, both local and urban, which in the coming months and years will magnified exponentially without a more urgent and successful intervention. In 2020, black americans and other people of color p are stil finding a wide margin, significantly less likely to mhave a Home Broadband connectn and counterparts, they frequently worked around this issue by searching for libraries, restaurants offering free wifi. The pandemic has changed these fundamentals. Shelter in place orders and closings of restricted in for closandforeclosed completely iny instances the Broadband Access many of these Public Places and spaces provided. In the classrooms and workplaces have moved online to virtual settings. Our longstanding Digital Divide has morphed truly into a monstrous covid19 divide. A few thoughts. Access to highquality broadband is a civil right we cannot afford to lose, but one that many cannot afford to have. We must focus on affordability and an access issue even before the pandemic within 18 million didnt have broadband at home simply because it is too expensive. And with unemployment at greatre depression levels in people trying to decide if they have enough money for groceries or for rent, this problem has undoubtedly worsened. There are a number of legislative proposals currently available for broadband connections and devices for lowincome families in at the newly unemployed, and i cannot overstate how i believe these efforts are essential to connecting into empowering all americans for my part within the commissions authority ive also long advocated that we require the rural providers who buildout with universal Service Offers that they offer an affordable broadband option. The Lifeline Program remains underused and its benefits do not meet the needs of lowincome consumers to this area of social distancing to the fcc they must coordinate with agencies that administer Services Like snape and dedicated to determine eligibility for the Lifeline Programs to ensure lowincomeme communities learn about it and avail themselves of its benefits. Americans cannot afford for this government to work in silos. And im thankful for the 40 senators signed a letter agreeing with the proposal including me on the committee, and im thankful for senator klobuchar into the push to the interagency coordination to increase the lifeline enrollment. We should also increase the data and voice offerings like one covers to meet connectivity needs of the lowincome subscribers during this Public Health crisis. We also need to focus on our youngest learners. Millions of students across the country remain disconnected, even though they spent this spring in outcome classrooms away from school grounds, we must meet demand at the moment. And to respond to the ongoing need for distance learning, we should permit schools to offer broadband connections in putting hotspots to students. The outlook for School Reopening in the fall remains opaque, so this issue isnt going away. Pm making my own investments in these issues. Earlier this month i announced my Digital Opportunity equity recognition. With the help of an Advisory Board of Digital Equity champions, to recognize organizations, companies, individuals who help to make quality affordable Broadband Service available to underserved or underserved communities with a particular focus on his funding to the challenges of covid19. The alarming and predicted impacts of covid19 makes clear that the American People can no longer wait for connectivity. Inspired by this urgency and guided by hope, i want to make sure communities have access to affordable and reliable broadband. If we do this and Work Together, i know we will create a better country foror all americans. Thank you for inviting me today. I look forward to your questions. Well, thank you to all of you for your excellent testimony. Let me say, we need to do everything we can for distance learning. At the same time, we need to get this economy open. We need to give schools open. Nothing can take the place of that. And that ought to be one of the major priorities of this congress and this administration, to get our elementary and secondary institutions open so parents can go back to work and kids can go to school where educators are taught and trained to do the best job of teaching. We need to get the colleges and universities open. Thank you for your input, but the main solution is a broader solution. Weve got a lot to discuss. Chairman ajit pai, commissioner rosenworcel is concerned that we are not going to get the broadband even asked information in time to the important events. Several Digital Opportunity fund and then to 5g fund. I think you said recently that we can get that information in months rather than years, which is an optimistic and welcoming statement on your part. Im going to let the two of you discussed this. The first step of the application begins in a week or two, and its going to be here before we know it. What do you say to the point is that we are going to be doing that blindly without even giving permission on the data act . Mr. Chairman, i would say that is misplaced. Phase one focuses on underserved areas, areas that we know especially after the challenges that we received do not have any service. According to the maps, and enough that you look at. So to me at least, for those sllion of americans on the wrong side of the Digital Divide that we know are on the wrong side, it isnt adequate for me to say they should be denied Digital Opportunity to chile from him this or years while we figure out the mapping in these areas. That is what is at stake. Point number two please hold off point. Commissioner rosenworcel, it makes sense to me that we know these areas are the underserved. I want to point something out. We are making a choice between speed and accuracy. I think the government needs to do both. And when they talk a little bit about accuracy. The nations largest broadband providersad came together to assess how accurate the data was. What they found is that 38 of the homes and businesses that have surfaced today do not. That is a rate of two in five. We are going to hand out billions of dollars based on that data with regards to these areas, we know that they are underserved but heres the problem. The folks of americans without surfaced today are in areas that are on the outskirts of suburbs. On the outskirts they say those People Service whe have sn they do not. And the problem is are they subject to this . One week before the election, we are to get a 16 billion based on maps that we know are wrong. E. G. of the funds for the next ten years. To me, i dont think we have any business getting out of that much money without first making some effort to fix the maps that we know are wrong. What is the suggestion . I respect with a train set abouthe train setabout trying ti dont think getting out 80 of the funds for the next ten years when we know the data is wrong is the right number. I think we have to reserve far more of the funds for the time when the maps are correct and accurate, because if we dont, we will not have the fun stick it to every american and we will leave people behind. We have groups and citizens contacting us for saying we need to speed this up and make it even earlier. I also have lots of people asking and telling me when i look at the fcc map it says i have service when i dont and as a result, i cant get service in my Community Come in my home and did my business. Again, a rate of two in five. This isnt th is the kind of dae should give billions. I wish that you would answer the question rather than make a speech. Are these areas that are subject to the ardofs no, there is not service today. I agree we should move ahead and do something fast, but taking the funds for the next ten years and doing it without fixing the data is a mistake. We should find a way to be both fast and accurate. Well, okay. How do we get a broadband data act complied with more quickly, mr. Chair . They need funding to be able to do that. 65 million for startupt costs in the first year alone, otherwise it is unfunded mandate. I said repeatedly, we need money before maps and what you heard was an implicit concession that without it, those americans, those ive met in places like West Virginia and gulf of mississippi, and in other poor towns acrossss the country, they have to wait potentially for years until Congress Gives us the funding and we stand up to determine what suburban areas might be partially served. I think Digital Opportunities shouldnt be denied to those on the wrong side of divided by any metricet we use. It seems to me that weve mandated this, and it is incumbent upon the congress to provide the fun is to get this going as soon as possible, because it is an urgent need. Thank you very much. Do you two have [inaudible] [laughter] stupak believed the using it wisely. You are both very articulate. [laughter] whos next . Senator klobuchar. Thank you to all of you, and thank you for your heartfelt words about what this pandemic has been particularly thank you to you, commissioner starks. So, senator kramer and i have a though i know you are aware of which would create a major fund the fcc to help providers, some of the small internet providers that are the ones that are sitting in right now to help so many families, so that the students and lowincome families can connect to school and work. There are 32 cosponsors including nine on the committee. Chairman ajit pai to last week you sent a letter to the leaders requesting legislation to help ensure nearly 800 broadband providers assigned to keep americans connect the pledge continue providing service to consumers after the pledge expires at the end of the month. Youve alsyou also state in youy that,thta quote, these especialy small ones continue to provide pay for an indefinite period of time. You do believe the legislation would help ensure that they can keep americans connect it lacks i appreciate the question. Theres no question some of the providers and the subject of the bill have endured significant losses in many cases. I think your legislation is a step in the right direction to make sure that from the consumer perspective, they can continue to enjoy the services they have relied on the last three months. Thank you. Commissioner rosenworcel. Thank you for your leadership and i agree with everything the chairman has just said. Okay, go to. Which im sure is always the case. [laughter] commissioner starks, last week in your joint oped with the civil rights leaders, i think that is the one you mentioned, id . You cal called on them to improe connectivity during this crisis and in the future. We have a bill involving connectivity for the Higher Education students with senators hirono, peters, to help with the Education Administration with the financial need for connect. Do you believe the legislation would be helpful . Senator, i do [inaudible] yes, senator i do believe that is extremely helpful legislation. I held an hbc you roundtable myself with president s from the hb you as large as howard and samu and pay agree how important this is going to be to make sure Program Students and those that are going back to home in rural and urban areas where there isnt connectivity, making sure we go through that is extremely important. You also mentioned the Lifeline Program. Senator durbin and myself read a letter along with 140 members of congress urging them to take action to make sure that they are aware of the help they can give to access the internet, and we know that this is always an issue, but the pandemic put a magnifying glass on the problem. What additional measures do you think are necessary to help close thisea gap and increase Te Connectivity for students moving forward . And the cannabis industry and other things but its worth looking at that testimony. The reason it is relevant not that it involves the fcc but the concern about any political interference and what the impact will be to have only three nationwide wireless carriers with the ability to deploy 5g. Consolidation is a problem. Less competition is less competition. That means higher rates. S. Going between four and three Major Airline carriers i got baggage fees and smaller seats this is will happen here all ac today are thousands and thousands of job losses. We should be concerned. Senator fisher your recognize. Can you hear me okay . The federal states are particularly important and to encourage the product in a complimentary way and the fcc Upcoming Initiative and to believe the fcc. And with that universal service fund for both the states are maximized. Thank you for your question, senator i hope you can hear me the answer is yes. The very first vote after i was chairman was to cement a partnership with the state of e and to to make sureer work in concert. In just a week ago or two weeks ago and that to help the broadband and to make sure we stretch every taxpayer dollar as far as possible. And to make sure we have very efficient and coordinated efforts. I cannot agree more it is important from the consumer perspective to Work Together not in a silo or a loggerhead. I know nebraska has a very thoughtful and involves service commission. And to continue that partnership to be beneficial and then to have a shift of the daily life over the past severalft months if and wow students will be back in school this b fall with some extra stress on affordability and the access challenges for internet connectivity. So chairman pai in light of the expiration next week what policy do you see to tackle these challenges across the country . Those providing services with state officials. Absolutely thats why three months ago i sent a letter to congress and the members of this committee urging creation of the learning initiative is part of the cares act and with respect to telehealths in that program. And in a streamlined way directed funding to schools and school kids who need that connectivity m we will continue to pull out the stops to make sure we provide that to the maximum extent possible we went to work with districts and the department of education it did allocate 16 billion of funding that can be used with technology to make sure School Districts are aware of that fundinge certainly by the time school gets back in at the fall. I appreciate you take this concept of your leadership to understand it comes to the states in this country while also recognizing the importance of access and affordability which we see in many urban areas. And then from omaha with covid19 program. How has the structure of that program been successful . Thank you for the question on telehealth i had a chance to join you so im glad to see these funds are going there. And the pine ridge indian reservation. And then to that location in valentine nebraska. So we stood a very quickly and then into the Healthcare System with a great result. That new ways of telehealth applications in the threeyear Pilot Program there will be Lessons Learned from what we can apply in that context. Senator blumenthal. Thank you for being here today and all that you are doing. I hope you have a sense of the urgency. In which is rapidly turning into a homework chasm in connecticut. And to do the work to recover to seriously and irreparably harm their education. This turned into a National Scandal and i would like to know why the fcc is unwilling they give now taken some limiting steps but why not go further. You can wave a rule you cannot waive a statute and it clearly says they can only subsidize to classrooms and that specific term thats why when it was developed by connie urged congress set up tbethis ability to do what we w have successfully done for patient. On march 16 senator mark and i wrote ae letter with 16 of Senate Colleagues to say that the sec could do it under your present authority. You disagree . We need to meet to this moment in 2011 and 2012 we use the programm to help connect disconnected kids at home there is a reference to classrooms they are now online. In addition the reference to use Additional Services for educational purposes and we have Forbearance Authority under section ten and by doing so we are not helping students i need to be connected. Teeten the senses the fcc has to do more and more quickly and it has to do it now. I hope you will see that sentiment. And obligation to the students of america. Word you agree with me the fcc has no authority to do the kind of rulemaking the president has ordered in the most recent executive order section 230 . I cannot express the view at this time. I cannot speak for them that i would not petition for the rulemaking we have not yet received. Would you commit to that petition in the coming weeks . We havent received any petition. What you deal with it as quickly as you can. We will follow the appropriate position for such petition. This executive order plainly and blatantly simply an assault on the credibility of the firsty amendment and directing you to do something you do not have the authority to do. And to avoid the president s effort to engage you to retaliate with the political rivals and those Tech Companies on the other sideth of issues would like your commitment you would in effect dispel the overhanging threat to them and the constitutional thghts of this executive order reflects. I will not prejudge any rulemaking but i will say i will always follow the law and the facts. Nothing more nothing less. Im assuming everybody on the panel agrees that Lifeline Programs is important and if you disagree please raise your hand. Im assuming you all would support more funding for it i have urged a number of my colleagues with 1 billion that is at least the additional amount that is necessary. Anybody disagree . Im not sure how much more would be needed. And then those commissioners that feel you have any doubts we would be happy to implement that and are you telling me you have no idea how much more money is necessary . I dont know billion odollars is more or less or the right number or not. Thank you senator blumenthal. Members of the commission are asked by our technical staff to turn on the microphone when speaking that turn it off when your answer is complete. Thank you for all your service and under extremely difficult circumstances. And much debate has gone bipartisan interest and then accountability and consumer transparencybi act. And have to provisions before the department of justice last week that is right for reform and yes or no do you agree with the attorney general section 230 is right for reform a bipartisan congressional action is the best way to achieve this . It is important to date i have not for the answer to your question at this time. That is the only way to do this. Right for reform and all stakeholders and the trade commission and put all have responsibility to look at their roles to updating and reforming the approaching the section of 230. And the way it is currently written the sec is highlyy skeptical. They have to work on your chairman. Last week to introduce legislation to provide additional funding for the buildout Broadband Network of underserved areas. Re and that program to make it easier for the fcc to utilize congressional powers for broadband appointment. Yes senator come absolutely would help in with the fcc opportunity found on and find and that is a top priority of this commission. Absolutely. And we have largely taken the light touch approach by the federal government and because of that we have seen the increase that more individuals can teleworker use distancelearning and families can benefit from telehealth. Look at the infrastructure reform and the sec has recently taken to see more investment of Broadband Networks and should congress consider additional reforms like the bipartisan deployment act . We play a leading role in this effort and a good example to streamline the process and then to build the next generation networks. At scale capital is fickle innovation doesnt have to happen. And thats a step in the right direction. That threeyear infrastructure reform and those networks have their proven concept for the buregulatory approach. And that is a trajectory over the last three years it is a marked contrast from the prior eight years. Chasing around partisan political agendas at the sec rather than focusing on what matters and then to put Telecom Policy and as we have to focus on not partisan politics the closing the Digital Divide. And not Mission Accomplished but the Digital Divide speeds are increasing in the infrastructure holds up better than the counterparts because of the investment the private sector generated the last ocouple years. Those across the country with the low mid and high band spectrum. Anti free at the high band spectrum to assure to win the race, chairman pai i appreciate your work on the auction that will take place the end of this year can you speak to the benefits . Because they have accepted the accelerated location that will be available between two and four years sooner than what would have been the case so American Consumers are ahead of the curve. Other companies were quicker access to the b spectrum. And those that are looking to seize the advantage with 5g. Thanks in part to you and senator workers. Thank you for your service. F and the followup question on the exchange chairman pai, the commissioner said 80 percent of the 16 million and then to decide upon this october. First of all the estimated cost of phase one if it is not net they rollover into phase number two. And those part ofhi phase one. That phase one is only with the unserved areas. We are talking apples ando oranges. What is the error rate . I dont knowrr exactly. I know you can go five minutes on your own. You dont know the error rate . Are asking you to sit down but the point that were making is that measure twice and cut once. This is a significant investment but it is a significant chunk and an incomplete picture as we deployed billions and billions ofch dollars. So to give you a chance to chairman pai and i thank you for the question. We should have a policy that is speed and accuracy. Thats how we should spend federal dollars and the record reflects we dont have accurate data there are other studies that suggested is he42 billion or 162. We just dont know well enough to give out 80 percent of the funds for the next ten years in october. Commissioner following up on the definition of a classroom but it seems to me and that the definition of a classroom under the statute certainly could be captured by an online classroom. I wonder why you have chosen to interpret the statute in the middle of a pandemic so nearly. Because the consequences are so dire. And with the brickandmortar classrooms . I share your frustration thats why three months ago at the inception of the cares act i urge congress to give us additional authority. I got it pretty one a statute to make it clear. And i have an opportunity and those that run afoul of the law but provide more broadband. Can i get a commitment and consider the possibility on that path to get it done. Am happy to look at new issue. Rguments on this thirtysix states have received funding and north dakota and montana and alaska not received an award n at all . We had been applying county level data from john hopkins university. Ifou the key was the 75th percentile of all us counties the highest counties in the state. You are just using pre covid rates. Obviously this virus moves across the country and in predictable ways he might be highly impacted one month of low impact to the next month that is telehealth. And every single part of the country is impacted every single hospital was told whenever possible with nine covid related services. If it has a high covid weight on rate and this is not the intention of the statute and its not fair to stay in counties have done a good job to manage this pandemic. Understand your frustration. Look at that objective criteria. But in washington it is the emerging hotspot and they demonstrated that. There are areas of hawaii. Let me know we just cant give it out. Iv and not only the covid rain a particular county. I want to understand one data set does not make it objective. Data from Johns Hopkins. Everybody heard the Johns Hopkins talking point. But what im saying is and to consider the possibility of the statute isnt the only one of the high covid rates. I would be criticize for picking winners and losers across the country and thats not what im going to do its based on Expert Opinion of those who have advised us to use the county level data across the country to meet those circumstances. I apologize for the chairman i will send a letter. Thank you. We will take other rounds and submit q questions. Was this decision made administratively or a vote of the commission . The actual set up staff has been developing the criteria which one relies on theoh county level data to reach that benchmark. Of the committee will indulge me, commissioner, i just want to make sure you are not opposing that they be postponed . What i am proposing is we reconsider the sheer volume of dollars rushing out the door with before we have more accurate data may have enough funds for the next ten years lets calibrate to reach everybody. Where do you change the schedule in any way to have the opportunity found funds that 80 percent of the funds in the next ten years before we have the data is a mistake how they preserve some of sethose funds and leaving 20 percent for the next ten years likely to leave communities behind. To understand the proposal from the commissioner . The answer to the first question is yes we should into phase one until the maps are perfect that will not happen immediately or in 2020 so people who advance that you we know that are on one unserved until suburban areas or others have been filled in but the whole distinction between phase i and phase ii with the budget isow false if the budget is lower for phase one they willnc rollover and then the commission can always increase the size of phase two to meet those circumstances thats a decision for future commissioner to make. At the end of the day has to have accuracy together even telling us to improve broadband data not give out funds until we know with ilclarity where they have service of where they dont. We have high error rates in the data that weh have. And to make sure the book goes out with accurate maps. Lets see if you can supplement yourr answer. Senator cruise thank you for indulging the chair. Thank you mr. Chairman thank you for being here. Talk about big tech censorship which is a difficult topic i believe it is an incredibly important topic. We have said in recent years in recent months and recent weeks that growing assertions of power from big tech, from sensor to shuttle van to silence with which they disagree. Just within the l last two wee s weeks, we saw google at the behest of a Foreign Advocacy Group threatened to the monetize the journalistic outlets. The federalist was told the reason they that the on face a threat to be demonetized was because of objectionable comments in the Comment Section not anything that was written but rather a thirdparty users had put some unidentified t comments that google found objectionable. That is not policy that quick search can show dozens of journalistic outlets that have Comment Sections and all sorts of nasty things being said and indeed you have to look as far as a thirdparty site. Youtube which is wholly owned by google any of us can look onto the youtube comments right now and read a host of profane and racist and offensive comments on the youtube platform. If google does not apply it standard to its own whollyowned and high the profit it subsidiary but instead apply it to the federalist to enforce them to the monetize and that started the chamber is almost impossible. We saw twitter decided to censor and block tweet from the president of the unitedd states. It said a lawless zone will not allowed to be created in washington dc. If anyone attempts to do so Law Enforcement will stop it. And those pledging to protect Public Safety to stop the creation in the nations capitalpi would deem that abusive and so put a content block on it. Something else that complicatesme this challenge is there is an utter lack of transparency. How many poster you blocking . How many poster you throttling are reducing the number of people who see it . They will not answer. And talk about comparative blocking or bias. I have asked the questions, very simple. To Major Political parties i have asked each the question how many parties have you blocked . How many from Democratic Candidates . Twitterow for example blocked senator blackburns launch video for senate. Is sitting candidate sitting member of the house and twitter deemed her launch video unacceptable. They refused to answer these questions. Because the only source of the data is the black box. Nobody has that information that google and youtube and facebook and twitter. Much like the individual that they refuse to answer these questions. The sec has recently them brought directly into this issue with the executive order from the president understand from comments earlier that some of you have concerns to authority. Of legal this is a topic i have been deeply engaged in a long time and i will readily admit solving it is complicated part of the reason is because it cuts across jurisdictional lines it doesnt fit neatly into one sec your ftc your doj or Civil Division our Consumer Protection that cuts across all of those lives so the federal government is straining to figure how to address them so do you agree it is a problem that a handful ofat Silicon Valley billionaires have unfettered power to silence speech with which they disagree with no transparency or accountability whatsoever . Yes. I agree the absolute lack of transparency in social media is frustrating but when it comes to the First Amendment it is there to protect all forms of media from government not to protect government from all forms of media. I believe they have it backwards but i understand and support efforts for this congress to address but it is complicated. The prodigy mesh on messaging boards have long since twitter and google and facebook they have more power than any other institution that is what they cant look at and sit on their hands and do nothing. Thats what you see bipartisan omconsensus and boards to take action. The status quo will no longer hold. We have a responsibility to look at updating section 230 and to look at the Business Practices and attorney general needs to havess antitrust issue. Thank you for the question i do agree it is a crosssectional issues with a lot of so what i would focus on is the self amendment but we have to make sure this is not cloud our elections i encourage those to bring the executive order to the sec as quickly as possible so we can have a vote amongst us. I do not think it has Legal Authority that so this does not overhang our elections with the dark cloudnl online speeches a very quick observation with the need for transparency if the sec could do one thing the American People can see how many are silenced and being shadowed and that would transform the ability to transformhe this problem. Thank you senator cruise. I apologize for my absence they are all important to the state of washington i made in my open statement of the home are gaps i will come back to that i know my colleagues from hawaii once this as well. Because you visited Washington State looking at the education gap that also focused on the healthcare gap both of those are criticallycu important i can see you are a little shocked with the numbers. Even in washington we still have a gap. So. We have adequate authority right now for all nations schools to loan out a wifi hotspot and router to get every connected student at home. 50million kids were kicked out of the classroom but not could all go to online school. So meet the moment. We have used this authority in 2011, legrom2012, the statute mentions classrooms those are online. We have Forbearance Authority. To the extent the chairman thinks it is an impedimentho. Is not get tied up that figure out how to help students. So why arent we . Despite my understanding of the statute i dont think i have convince my colleagues but looking at a piece ofe legislation to make sure every kid gets connected i hope we can proceed and use the summer months to get it done. Thank you i cannot agree mor more. We cannot afford the gap. This is brought into focus many inequities but clearlyut by not having Broadband Access for education is one of them. I know the chairman has a tough job. So i will give you a question with the inadequate to the gigahertz band and the stringent protection of analysis i was part of a Bipartisan Coalition to put that weather data at risk. Or will you work with nasa to ensure these protections on o interference are improved . In terms of what we are doing now i was there in egypt they will be transferred into the sec order we will have to consider it. It can take somean timehe or years. We were ordering on the four years and doing catch up and before they adopt into our proceedings. And those International Issues that there is inadequate protection . We will put that into the item and have an opportunity to consider it at that time. Thats the position of the United States and they agreed to it. Commissioner lets talk about the legato issue. So many people are involved now to say hold off for timeout. Shouldnt we listen to make sure they are implemented and say weight . Look at this. To me aviation safety is critical and it bothers me to think the Aviation System of the future will be hampered if that is not adequately addressed. The 24 gigahertz band and we have to take thoseav standards developed and put them into our policy. I understand that is more stringent than what was initially proposed but well have to do that. And sheet we should do that in short order. With respect to legato. And so many adjustments and changes have been made over time including an extraordinary reduction of power levels andr broadband. The work is solid but i want to respect you and your point that there is a lot of concern about the continuing viability of gps. In the chairman is interested and that decision we reach that is something i would support we have to iron this out. I see my time is expired. And i appreciate all five of you i believe the sec is enhanced by the presence of two of my colleagues. So appropriations process and as you know and have experienced to take the oversightus responsibilities seriously and you been in front of our committee numerous times and then working with the subcommittee with specific information on the sec and with the mapping efforts and i want to hear that this information will be provided to the subcommittee as soon as possible, quickly. As we continue the deliberations with the ensuing year. We want to make certain we have that information and that to have committed that to me . Yes senator. But i know that managing director is working on that issue a you raising your question. We discussed the sec with nearly 800 broadband providers. Since then weve had a number of kansas providers and the expectation of consequences are lingering longer than expected. The amount of resources based on your conversation do you have a or is there any targeted federal relief for those that are forgoing the payments from their customers . Are there broadband providers that need to be prioritized or certain Eligible Services are recipients of federal resources should be focusedul on . Should be directed to the consumer or provider . I would like to follow up with you in more detail. At the very high level the fingers on the problem. Smaller providers in particular can take those blowss and they have incurred a great deal of cost disproportionate from their scale so its important as we moved into the transition for congress to think of Creative Solutions at the end of the day those ultimately has thseamless service. But trying to figure out what that looks like but its important to address this as soon as possible because a lot of these consumers continue to rely on connectivity during the pandemic. Would anybody like to respond to that question . I hope this committee in Congress Acts with the sec announcement yesterday with another member of the committeedn of the three digit suicide height line hotline i will express gratitude for the efforts you are undertaking. When and if you care to speak to the importance of the transitionun deadline of july 16 applicable to all carriers and basically are you expecting any challenges to get us to that point by that date of transition deadline. I could take a crack since i circulated yesterday the based on thera record we believe that is the soonest feasible that we have hundreds of thousands in the country and hdustry wanted a longer period of time. But we need to match the priority of this issue with the technicalhn feasibility. I appreciate your attention to this issue this is an important issue for all americans im yielding back no time. Senator you are recognized. Chairman and Ranking Member cantwell all the members of the committee the Public Health crisis caused by covid19 puts the spotlight on the work. Broadband services is more essential than ever with the Emergency Services friends and family and then to protect free speech and freedom of the press is especiallyec important as protesters continue to call for justice reform. And part of your july confirmation heady on Committee Said you would pledge to speak out and use your authority as o chairman to regulate and the impartial manner free of political pressure section 230 with that 230 debate because the president is engaged in high profile feuds with social Media Companies. In light of military people and that bad faith attempt to go against criticism of the president. T and those to be restricted and physically assaulted and detained there are dozens of documented assaults by a Law Enforcement a journalist chairman pai we take this an opportunity to reassure us. Not only do i we affirm that commitment i made several years ago but i have done that the last few weeks including standing up for local broadcasters that must be allowed to do their work free from attack and rejected the calls of some that say Television Broadcaster should have the license threatened or yanked because of disagreement with the political viewpoint. Ultimately the answer is yes. Eniess. And then to see how important it is in those situations to keep their families and communities safe. What more can they do to protect for local journalism but i agree its deeply important we continue to protect all. But on your section of 230 i do have a strong concern about what i see a clear intention to influence social Media Companies in particular with regard to their coverage with the upcoming election cycle. Thank you senator i agree with that my colleagues just said news is important tells us what we need to know about our lives and community and country the economic pressures on local media are significant and the sec has to identify to sustain local media. We it is so when it comes to the rate and expanding access. Also specifically think the commissioner for her work and them and then to make those hot spots on school buses they include that now they have the authority to do something similar but you believe such a legislative approach will help close the homework gap in underserved areas. Do you believe the senate should consider such a bill . Yes. We are headed into the school year we dont know what it looks like a said that professionally also a parent of Young Children we have to make sure every student can get online and go to class we dont want any of them locked out of a virtualal classroom. The gentlemans yells back welcome to all of you it has been a while since it had in front of us. I was sitting here thinking the and why we should have passed it years ago giving consumers and then to put in some guardrails to opt out. If we hadnt we wouldnt be where we are today with the sections of 230 and the need for Greater Transparency and the need for competition. It shows the cost of not taking action and not having congressional action that now with 34 on reforming section 230. Chairman pai, there has been some talk about the president s executive order. Are you planning a comment process and then to file a petition with rulemaking if and when it happens. We will follow that process. That sounds great. Now to the telehealth issue thank you for the work you have put into that. Telehealth was considered a luxury and convenience but we found out it was a necessity in very important to people that were suffering and had so now lets go to the broadband process to expand broadband which is vital and i agree mr. Chairman and beginning to relax things out of the way of senator baldwin that this to moveve forward but so you have had the lead on some of these things we appreciate thend outreach from you. Talk a little bit about what is on the horizon as we recoup it dod we know other agencies have got to do the inventory so we can recoup and auction. We have great work inli high band and mid band. And we are already moving forward on schedule but that future part was the next five years look like and this is highly fight over. There is o nothing else i am spending some time trying to talk to manufacturers what else can we convert and reclaim federal agencies to every. I think he wanted to complement that we need to fuel our wireless future. Value existing federal assets and will have to figure out how to create structured incentives and the authorities. I think as we look at the nda, we have a section 214 and we discussed this and to make the spectrum available and its going to be essential, commissioner, i want to come back to you on the issue of giving people the ability to air their grievances again in one of the reasons we refer to it in there no longer companies, their babies, theyve grown up in there the biggest that are over there, the censorship that we see in the virtual space which is absolutely unprecedented. What i continue to hear from people, they want to see some kind of public comment. So there is a way to air those grievances and senator cruz got on this issue a little bit but i want you to speak to the important for supporting a process where the fcc have a notice of inquiry and allow the public to comment on the experience of big tech. Thank you senator and thank you for your leadership on these issues, i think its time for all of us in government to look for transparency and accountability and big tech from google to twitter, and refer you to a Public Statement on twitter from a website and whether the official, and the truth is we are impartial and believe impartiality, the twitter platform does not take sides, the diverse perspective are treated equally so users can see every side. Its hard to read this words with a straight face. I think this is why a lot of people are calling for accountability, i welcome the executive order and we should move forward and then fdc should engage in reforms. I yield back, senator peters you are recognized for five minutes. Thank you, senator for the recognition and to all of you thank you offer coming today. In the oped that you have published Broadband Access, the civil rights we cannot afford to lose but many cannot afford to have, i think its very powerful oped and it focuses on the need for us to make sure everybody no matter who you are and where you live in the Broadband Access in the Digital World at large, certainly in my state its a problem and ended to right nine out of ten students dont have access to tablets, computers or the internet. This is the time that the covid crisis when the School Shutdown commit to online instruction and we simply have no opportunity whatsoever to be able to avail themselves of. And perhaps you could talk to is a little bit about how do we approach is equitable fashion, the zip code should not matter in right now its a zip code of community of color that really matters. How do we change that, i could not agree more, thank you so much for your leadership, i am appreciate you. I have a Virtual Event and i was shocked to hear, is deeply disturbing when youre talking about 90 of the Student Center in detroit are without home connectivity, one thing that we havent talked about is the rate is designed to offer support for schools that are on free lunch and when youre talking about households that are on the headstart breakfast is, those of the families that are disconnected in exactly the students that you rate needs to further reach. Affordability is part of this making sure that were connection that are affordable for millions of struggling families, making sure that we have something that is ten, 11 ultimately and i think they deserve serious merit. Last thing i would mention, is lifeline, our Lifeline Program is going to meet the date, that is good to be expanding the data in the voice and expanding the number of dollars, something additionally i think i would focus on in the lifeline associates leander subscribed, 20 of people that are eligible are subscribers, over 74 senators wrote a letter saying that the federal government should use its advertising dollars to make sure broadcasters who are working right now can use advertising dollars that are working. It makes good sense for us to have lifelines advertised given the low subscriber ship to the local protesters. I think its a slamdunk winwin scenario. I appreciate your leadership, and your focus and compassion cream is a look at this issue, we need to think about ownership of broadcast accidents who leases the building and have diversity and ownership and it tends to lead the broader reach as well, i introduced expanding broadcast ownership opportunity to make sure the folks of color have a seat at the table just could a important, statistics are striking as well, women make up less than 6 of broadcast tv station owners and minorities account for less than 2 , similarly women own 7 of broadcast radio stations and minorities own less than 3 as well. My bill would establish the fcc Tax Certificate Program which incentivizes the sale of broadcast stations to socially disadvantaged individuals, my question to you commissioner, how would this help diversify the industry and what needs to be done to help bring back this important program. Take you again for the question, i cannot. That legislation work, when you look at the numbers on our Media Diversity and its important from the ownership to see whos in front of the camera and whos in the newsroom, the fact of the matter is in her latest report that we issued in february, first of all it covers data from 2017 and thats a bit stale. The data is trending in the wrong direction from 2015, asian ownership is down, latino ownership is down, as you pointed out women ownership is down from 7. 4 to down. 5. 3 . We know theres over 50 of our population and the fact of the matter is out of 1400 full power tv stations, 12 of them are owned by africanamericans. What that means if youre rounding that number, you would rounded down to 0 . That is unacceptable in this day and in this time, access to capital and opportunity, all of these are important, the tax incentive proposal that you have is the biggest shot in the arm that i see that we could take on this. I appreciate it, my time is up. Sender gardner is at the bat next. Thank you to the panelist to testify today. Colorado has one of the highest suicide rates of the country. And statistically approximately once every seven hours to suicide. Covid19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem. Here. We had been working together on this as well as with our house counterparts the legislation does not absolve to have the National Suicide hotline that any extra dollars raised actually go toward that intended purpose so lastly for special ed services at most risk of suicide the lgbtq youth and the concentration rate four times higher than their peers the ftc feedback unanimously we recently passed the bill through the Senate Unanimously as well. Asking a simple yes or no question beginning with chairman piety believe with all senators and that the commission should be swiftly passed by the house to help save lives commissioner we will begin with you yes or no. Yes senator thank you for your leadership on this issue. The answer is yes. Yes. Yes senator thank you for your leadership on this. Commissioner . I agree, yes this is tremendous work and i champion it. Chairman pai what about Public Education is clear and widespread . I appreciate the question in the first instance with the hhs department and others but i can assure you that whoever accompanies the future commission will use this to make sure we increase awareness. We are already doing that now with consultation of other organizations like the Trevor Project and others. 5g is the next wave of connectivity of economic benefits how that plays the leading role including major advancements and elsewhere along the front range and that is incredibly bright but some have suggested and it continues to arise in the conversation in order to stay competitive with china we must nationalize the 5g network i would like to ask a simple yes or no question do you support the plan to nationalize the 5g network or to operate . We begin with you. No i do not. No i completely oppose it. No. I strongly agree know. Thank you very much for that and i agree with your answers. Speaking with the small telecommunication providers with a resume call with them to find adequate personal protective equipment to perform maintenance and continued Construction Projects child providers on covid19 first and foremost but its important not to forget the Small Businesses as we reopen in the economy going into homes and interacting with people so those communication providers so what were the sec be doing to make sure providers have access . Thank you with americas contact during this pandemic early on some of these issues are being worked out as a country we have ramped up our supply of ppe i continue to work with you and colleagues across government to make sure we get this right. And those brought to my attention. Thank you to all the commissioners. Senator baldwin. Thank you mr. Chairman. I appreciate all commissioners joining us here today and for your service. I want to dovetail on senator gardner with the number to access suicide lifelines with the veteran crisis line. It was a pleasure to work with my colleagues, making it easier for americans in crisis to get the help they need to create that three digit number for those crisis service. Last month and i urge my house colleagues that chairman pie, chairman pai thank you for acknowledging in your testimony the importance of this issue. Just know to make it more heightened the pandemic and those consequences both physical and mental to see tremendous increase of those seeking help just by way of example march this year nearly a 900 percent increase in calls to hhs disaster in the help lines compared to the prior march. I hope we can all move forward expeditiously with the continued progress that mom at the sec. Looking forward to working with the commissioner to get that data done. Now looking at committed americans in need another lifeline the universal Services Fund Lifeline Program. It plays a Critical Role including trillions of seniors and veterans connected the lifeline is all the more important to the current environment they relied more than ever on conductivity to get medical help and stay in touch with friends and family and on the other hand many are facing other hardships that critical Broadband Service with the Opening Statement also how do we get these individuals connected to lifeline . With those growing needs . Such a good question the lifeline was started during the Reagan Administration when most were a jack in the wall and during the Bush Administration after Hurricane Katrina we saw there was a disaster and we expanded that to wireless telepathy. We have a crisis right now to figure how to make more americans connected and view the lifeline to do that remake that from top to bottom who is eligible and we consider what services we support and then something along the line to double the outreach every interaction with Public Services we make available so everyone gets a fair shot to stay connected in this crisis. Thank you senator lifeline is such an under described benefit we need to increase advertising and again the common sense idea we know that snap applications has skyrocketed during this pandemic and if you are eligible for snap or a new snap applicant you are also eligible for lifeline. So we have to have the m o you in place if you start to get snap benefits you should be told you are eligible for lifeline found follow up with email or direct mailing to make people aware of this program. We have millions of struggling americans right now. If they come knocking on one door they shouldnt have to knock on each door to get the help they need. I think there are some very administrative things we need to do the lifeline verifier has been down only 13 states are automatically connecting applicants through snap. We have to do better because the manual review for lifeline applications is not good and the error rate is extremely high and people dont get the benefit that they need there a lot of things from top to bottom and millions of americans are counting on us. Thank you. So i thank you for your services and for being here today. We talked about today it has been essential to impact the decisions that you have made looking forward we heard a lot of the conversation about it which will provide funding over the next decade according to the sec West Virginia has over 128,000 locations so we appreciate that in your visit to West Virginia and it is imperative to be eligible for this funding and im concerned about this. I would ask you as you look at the process and then to do that effectively and efficiently as we look at this process in that process. Yes senator we well. Im sure thats a revolving decision. It is ongoing but the list of eligible areas is scheduled to be published by a july 1st so we are in the final stages now. One of the areas ive been concerned about past programs is the accountability of actual delivery. How do you expect aimed at rule america how do we get better at transparency and accountability . All the taxpayer money in the world doesnt make a difference if the providers dont use that appropriately. We think bidders have to enter locations into the high cost of the broadband database. In addition to verify an audit that providers have done what they said they will do. Later they will be subject to drive testing to our verification and with any of the scores the providers will have support withheld and with this enforcement action to make sure West Virginia deserves funding and deployment. I encourage enforcement. It is a toothless enforcement mechanism. Commissioner oreilly thank you for addressing us with a 911 feed it is an issue West Virginia was impacting our ability to have these issues resolved so now we are eligible in the muchneeded nextgeneration for 911 funding thank you personally for that. Coming to West Virginia with a connected Care Initiative if we knew than where we are now it is amazing West Virginia University Just now got a grant to expand the Telehealth Services so we have a Telehealth Initiative going across the country for all Health Providers to be on the same page and then to have broadbased i dont want to say regulations and then to come back in five years and say the radiologist can help with a cardiologist, how do you see that playing out . Both through covert and the connected Care Initiative. Thank you for your leadership on telehealth joining you last summer in West Virginia when we rolled out our proposal that turned into the cove in 19 telehealth so that leg work has paid off. It was a real person. Its wonderful to see in West Virginia facilities have 2 million already. There are some important Lessons Learned like you flagged already with the Pilot Program a threeyear pilot running after this emergency covid one and if you look at hhs to update the licensing and reimbursement issues and to be power out of the covid19 pandemic to improve Patient Outcome outcome and drive down cost at the same time. Anecdotally those that have telehealth visits and on the provider side and the patient side, they seem to really like it, the convenience, the ability to be more efficient is not going to work in every instance but i think the face of medicine will change we look forward to working with you on this. Thank you mr. Chairman. For holding this important oversight hearing in taking you through your previous commitments for inmates and families and in the interest of time please raise your hand if you still believe more should be done at these facilities in the United States. Everybody has their hand up. Thank you is there anyone . And you said no. So each of you agree what more could be done or should be done . But the sec lack of action i think there is an opportunity i am not aware of any major action have i missed anything . No senator. We do have issues of the intrastate rates we need legislation to help us on that that with intrastate rates we have a crisis. A single phone call with someone who is incarcerated typically cost as much as you and i pay for monthly unlimited plan. Thats not fair and its not right and it harms the families of the incarcerated. When visits are limited and so much communication is cut off there should be far more creative with rate cap caps, ancillary fees and commissions we should be doing everything we can to lower those rates to make them fair and just thats what the law requires. Thank you. Chairman pai moving on there is a tendency to get in the weeds so when i examined the issue it is simple why is anyone pushing for approval . Its not mentioned in any budget plan no entity that im aware of has a 5g solution there appears to be among Key Stakeholders with the proposed network even as noted in the order and i quote the analysis should not be construed to say theres no potential for interference currently in operation in the market space the testing shows there is potential conflict by these devices. Chairman pai i understand with the proposal but yet you did not comment the first four times and in responding to request to members of Congress However that does not change the reality. And then to face the National Security at risk. This very committee in this case i believe the people of goodwill i dont see how the proposal can succeed otherwise. So chairman pai recognize the dot and various industries to be considered the order, why wouldnt the sec consider it isnt that the whole process to enable the sec for where there are disputes of the record the cost would be enormous why would you not reconsider this . Thank you for the question of the unanimous bipartisan decision to approve this was serious conditions it has been pending for over a decade in 2003 the fcc granted authority to companies to use the spectrum on the ground in 2010 it was teamed up and for the last ten years we are looking what the rule should be the end they decided to approve the application 99. Three reduction of levels that it has its own spectrum even though gps is bleeding over into the legato spectrum so any deployment that is occurring or have occurred would not occur interference to the gps if all of these were impose because we wanted to balance the necessary interest to allow the company to move forward as was granted 17 years ago to keep gps from harmful interference with the fact of the record we made a decision sharing with federal agencies over a year and a half ago to enable to give that feedback to us on the record we had a very open door this process is going on for long enough we made a decision based solely on the fact and law i would defend this before any quorum in this congress or around the country. Im out of time. I yield back. Thank you so much senator. Thank you to all of you for being here thats fantastic maybe i will employ that technique especially for other commissions maybe if we have the Supreme Court in front of the judiciary committee. Chairman pai thank you a few weeks ago several colleagues and i sent you a letter asking some questions about the legato issue and the commissions decision to approve the spectrum modification. You responded and provided a number of very helpful answers to my technical questions and without objection that will be entered into the record for todays hearing. In a recently disclosed email there was an official at the department of defense who acknowledge the department of defense has not relied on their gps band for years and the department of defense uses the l to signal that is far away from the l1 band. If it is true the department of defense is relying on the l2 signal, then why do they argue legato will cause interference with the dod gps . A good question. One more appropriately presented from our perspective our determination is starting the operations are well below that to any of the gps spectrum especially in that band. If that is the case and the military operates on the l2 signal not l1, is interference even possible . We dont believe it is likely, to be sure thats why we impose very strict conditions you can rubberstamp this and say we dont think there is any engineering issues but to make sure we have receivers in others we incorporated those and that is why im very confident Going Forward we made a decision much more on sound engineering and the. Mongering. How far away from the l2 . Since 23 megahertz i cant remember its a significant amount more i believe it is 33 or more. And for context 600 megahertz we had a 3 megahertz band to prevent what rival companies we talk about broadband here almost eight times as large to protect against the l1 signal. Thats helpful. Thank you. My understanding mr. Chairman the National Advance spectrum and Communications Test network i want a acronym from that nasty. [laughter] but testing and modeling and analysis for spectrum policy. Its a joint effort involving federal agencies including and tia dod, nasa and nsf and noaa. Is there evidence it has biased results . No because those agencies are a member of that group. Did this group study the impact of those signals on gps devices . They did. With the dod comments and concerns heard and studied . I have no reason to think they were not. I have seen arguments the commissions decision what impact taxpayer dollars because the department of defense as a result of the decision would be tasked with updating Government Systems to comply. In the event there is harmful interference, my understanding is legato is on the hook to replace government receivers. Chairman pai did that issue gadd addressed in the fcc order quick. It did we impose that condition to remedy any type of situation that could include those receivers also l2 is 300 megahertz away its 1227 it is a significant distance away from the legato operations. One final point. The sec improve the legato communication unanimously no small feat for the fcc to agree in a unanimous manner and some would say in a bipartisan manne manner. Especially on a complex issue like spectrum allocation. Even though the commission unanimously agreed legato still took a decade to complete spanning multiple administrations for Political Parties as far as i can understand it wasnt for partisan reasons. Were was at the product of petulance or inaction on the part of commissioners but i do fear that it might reflect a broken interagency process for spectrum decisionmaking and if true this would hinder leadership and technology so the question i have for you should that be a warning sign for broken interagency decision process and what do we do with spectrum related decisionmakin decisionmaking . Thank you for bringing that up we need more airways to power the 5g feature we have to do better we cannot wait ten years to reclaim airways so heres what you do right now first you should reform the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee how the fcc comes together with other federal actors to figure out what spectrum to reclaim. Second like you proposed legislation, a full valuation what does that value when it comes to all spectrum assets . And then a series of incentives. People dont do things with a knockdown drag out fights. To make sure federal actors get the opportunity to have budgetary gain and not just loss for me allocation. I believe similar we need to improve structure how they manage a Different Agency to oversee that spectrum policy when they complain to congress whether noaa or nasa or dod coming at us oneonone has been very problematic at that they use to do and then weed out the bad arguments but thats not what we are getting today i also suggest we need more thats why the budgetary impact to understand how much funding or assets they are sitting on to be a part of the budget and then the last thing i would say is Congress Needs to identify the band that need to be converted it has been done in the past by committee and requires a lot of lifting. Well said. I turn it back over to the chairman. When somebody goes up against the issue the fcc has addressed for a decade with expertise, on the issue of Great National importance as this it darn well better come to the argument something other than the catchphrase of National Security or trust as we are right. I cannot tell you why i think this because it is classified but trust us National Security dictates we not do this. That is wrong. They know its wrong and we cannot let them get away with it. Thank you. Thank you senator lee. Senator lee and senator blackburn have been very gracious during this hearing to take the gavel. Im very much appreciating that. We might as well as we are talking about legato then who wants to take the issue of the decision being made in the dark of night . Chairman pai it is nonsense i circulated the orders on thursday the majority of those were in the following day on friday. We had to do so many things remotely in this timeframe. Absolutely. Of course we do things in the regular process. When you circulated that was it provided only to members and staff or Public Record . With circulation is all commissioners and staff. We also shared six months earlier that exact draft with the department of defense to the regular Advisory Committee they had that possession months in advance. Why didnt you just vote on thursday do you have to wait a certain period of time . There are two different ways. One is at the monthly meeting the chairman has to designated item three weeks in advance and the other is through circulation you email the proposal to all various commissioners they have in an indefinite period of time to suggest changes. In this case, we did that circulated on thursday. I cannot speak for the other officers but then we removed it the following thursday one week later. You can have 32nd. The chairman is correct when he says the regular policies were followed. Waiting to friday to vote i had four meetings phone call meetings with all interested parties that wanted to wait and listen to their arguments and voted not over the weekend. So with this terminolog terminology, harmful interference potentially impacting. Help us parse that is that a term of art . Terminology widely used by our colleagues at and tia. Is something significantly to interfere with that existing communication. In every environment we are tasked with trying to give meaning to that and as i mentioned before. To the extent this new proposal hurts the gps functioning, that word not be permitted without compensation and correction by legato. Am i correct . I believe thats that is it. Senator rosen. So there are two different issues first how do you measure harmful interference from those operations and the department of have a certain standard and that metric isnt even for harmful interference and to take that seriously to wipe out Wireless Communications as we know them. You can see that change with any type of device. Putting aside the standard which has never been embraced or rejected so what will happen in terms of harmful interference . The fcc tested a bunch of different receivers and they found with the parameters we are talking about would not cause harmful interference. With the argument that there may be some type of interference. We said okay. Lets make sure we impose these different conditions to ensure thats not the case and on top of that back it up what legato has to do for federal agencies and were any affected agency can tell us there is interference and needs to be remedied asap. So given all these conditions its hard to say they would rubberstamp this to send it out into the ether. We took a very careful look at this it wasnt easy to kick the can down the road we are called to these to make these difficult decisions to promote wireless from harmful interference we have to make those tough decisions and you have to make them now i will not kick the can down the road any longer. We could use the race to 5g. Three. One, four. Nine, six gigahertz, legato every Single Agency every single band of federal agency will say i am completely in favor of 5g just not in this band. [laughter] to take this seriously it would never go anywhere thats part of the reason why we have done the hard work based on engineering to promote American Leadership and the common interest otherwise we are still stuck in the starting blocks and other regions that are racing ahead of us. Thank you senator and the Ranking Member to bring this important oversight hearing today thank you for your hard work in those areas i want to talk about in turn all mapping and Health Outcomes because in nevada and across the country the way that telehealth can receive care while complying with the stayathome orders due to the pandemic so although not a substitute for receiving the evaluation it does include keeping those to access maternal care maternal care and especially crucial to use every tool and resource we have for every new and expected mother this is for the high risk population in the africanamerican and Rural Communities even more important during the pandemic introducing data mapping and this Bipartisan Legislation would direct the sec and ftc to incorporate data on maternal Health Outcomes and with Broadband Access. And for the maternal Health Outcomes where they overlap in order to determine where telehealth is most needed. Thank you to your office for reaching out and to understand the issues and the commission for those shortages and obesity and Maternal Health should not be a challenge. Commissioner thank you for your leadership like to address how easy or difficult it would be for the commission to ask for a minute add maternal Health Outcomes to that platform. Thank you for your leadership on this may have a crisis in this country the only industrialized nation with a rising level of attack on mortality those in real communities and no longer have the Maternity Ward so spending time in arkansas at the mayo clinic what i have learned they are coming up with all forms of telemedicine to take on the Maternal Health care crisis it would be terrific if we could use our mapping data to understand which communities are connected and have the highest levels of Maternal Mortality its the start of a solution to make sure our work gets us ther there. Are there other Health Issues if we add Maternal Mortality for other things at the same time . There are two things to talk about here what type of hair healthcare on healthcare problems are we seeing that we need to correct for and what are likely to be effectively managed the telemedicine we see early demonstrations with the mortality in diabetes with continuous home monitoring to make a huge difference. I will, dialogue to identify what meets that two criteria and think about broadband. Thats terrific. And the Telehealth Program with the future Telehealth Services for the rural and underserved communities. 100 milliondollar program we have announced it is a pilot rather than giving the money here or there, lets choose mortality and see what we can do with that. Thank you. I appreciate that. We certainly havent been worried during this hearing. Let me see if we can narrow a few things down with the Education Department was provided in cares are you all coordinating with secretary divorce and how we can facilitate . Working with the department of education to make sure lou call on local School Districts that under the law passed by congress for technology we want to make sure they are able to use that for connectivity. Recently i can tell you one of the first things we did after the cares act was passed to figure how to strategize with the department of education. And with a 13 billiondollar coordinating with the department of education. Also teacher training. That schools will need to get back up and running and to identify with a dedicated pool of funding to get students connected. Senator young is now in the queue . Yes. So good to see you. The pre pandemic a lot has changed since then but since the pandemic thank you for your work to establish the 100 milliondollar connected care program it benefited our state 200 milliondollar telehealth find just today the tenth street clinic in richmond Indiana Community Health Center the cater County Memorial Hospital in greensburg indiana were awarded nearly 1 million from the fund to support our efforts. The resources are getting out there. And we very much appreciate it. Briefly to discuss the importance of both of these programs of the pilot of the telehealth and and then if you can quickly pivot if there were flexibilities related to telehealth temporarily available that should remain in place on a permanent basis based on your early assessment. Thank you for the question and then to visit a healthcare facility we light relying on highspeed Internet Connection it will be a game changer we focused on connections to brickandmortar facility that now with the covid programming connected care program so people can access high quality care is so important as it has Healthcare Facilities its hard to get a general practitioner let alone a specialist but what we do now is lay the groundwork to get everybody in the country a fair shot there are Lessons Learned we need to keep with this pandemic hhs has done a lot of great work in short order with reimbursement issues and that 100 milliondollar program we are moving in the right direction we will keep the red tape. So why dont we maintain a dialogue if confirmed to this position telehealth and working with hhs on that issue. But commissioner oreilly recently blogged about removing unnecessary barriers to maximize competition with any universal service fund for the auctions such as the upcoming Opportunity Fund extending broadband and rural indiana across other rural areas around the country. Can you expand on this idea of maximizing competition to remove unnecessary barriers to identify specific actionables that need to be taken . And those that are willing to participate in those auctions. And those who would like to participate and then drive down the cost and with the affiliate on 50 billiondollar program into an expenditure that is true competition. And then compete for different areas. There is a barrier with the burdens hitting this today and then it doesnt make any sense in my opinion for any longer they are both areas outside state jurisdiction. Congress could really be helpful. And when those auction winners are designated under the statute and with more value for the taxpayer in the end. And through that nation absolutely. Thank you so much amount of time. Have you had lunch yet . Thank you for carrying. First of all thank you for having this hearing and to the fcc for being here. You get to hear what has been said before i want to go back to allocating 80 percent at the end of this administration and i think it still there its bipartisan to spend the money and not waste money. Well over 16 billion if my math is correct and then to reallocate money. And to chairman pai i dont know how you put that money out. And the potential for wasting money is just over the top. It is just the crapshoot thousands upon thousands. And then someone it argue how the suburbs in milwaukee are getting covered or not. And you have maps that are 16 million in the marketplace that the money goes to underserved areas. Phase one goes to unserved areas and then to go through the challenge process so those are thousands of locations for the first time. Thats music to my ears but why hasnt the money already been appropriated. And the very first thing they did was answer parts of the country with that Digital Divide. Its high time those in montana got Digital Opportunity. Or what those areas that are served. And to then get on the right side of the Digital Divide. One of the major problems has always been. Thinking everybody on the fcc to make sure the money is well spent. And those on that commission. And from that Digital Opportunity Data Collection. Congress has now passed the broadband data act that prohibits us to create that it also any funding with that mandate. 65million the first year alone is required we dont have it thats what im coming to you to ask for the necessary funding we needed to create that. So i just think that had accountability issue becomes a problem because if you do it before you walk out the door potentially and we are counting on those being corrected and we displaced a ton of money. That we need to have this work be seen anything in montana healthcare shortchanged and education is shortchanged and we hope you are right. And 200 million of the cares act. And in covid19 i would just say that those actions to stop things from acting and then to be penalized and we dont know where the virus will go and then to go back and look at those. And giving grants to those in seattle with a Million Dollars in funding. And also to get a grant with to help those providers across the state. And what it needs under this program. But chairman pai first went to the fcc first conceive of this and start working on this . Late 2018. It has been a while. If it goes forward on time but the problem we will say one c is it will take a long time to build this out. And then to get the build out done much faster. And then to welcome that. But that idea to speeded up because people cant wait and then to get additional funds and then to nail that down. And then to expand affordable Broadband Access so this question is for the commissioner. Now more than ever and those am at the sundance resort and we cant reach 911 and that 30 minute call between the staff and the residents the call was dropped three times. Because it was just plain wrong. So how do you recommend to help those of arizona . Thank you for the senator not having Wireless Service isnt just an inconvenience but you cant call 911 or get healthcare. So for a long time the sec has been trying to figure out where service is and not we have found many were profoundly wrong maps we have to take that authority to give the broadband data to figure out where service is and is not an thats not just do what here in washington with the five of us but to arizona and every other state in the country if you know what you get bars on your phone and where you dont. Jessica rosenworcel can utilize Broadband Services. But this window for the spectrum, to the Digital Divide in the country, but trying to see and try to learn about the spectrum and understand how they can use it. Unfortunately, in disproportionately affected by the coronavirus. And requested additional time to apply to the spectrum. Would you commit to a 180 day extension for the tribal priorities window in the 2. 5 megahertz band because of the coronavirus. Thank you for the question. Appreciate your leadership under issues of tribal con activity. It was my idea to give the priority window. Im aware of the request from advocates for the extension of the window and that is something we are constantly considering we would hate happy to deep keep your team prices make a decision. Jessica rosenworcel please do. There are several arizona that are facing higher outbreaks in than others in the entire country. So the need for them to have additional flex ability during this very Dangerous Things to the community is important. We need to consider expending time for indian tribal communities to have access. Yes, its a onceinalifetime opportunity for tribes to promote wireless Broadband Services. There from the least connected communities in the country. I think we should give an extension of that august deadline because tribal communities have been more affected by this virus than others. I think the extension of 180 days warranted. Thank you. I will followup with you directly. On the specific needs of these tribal communities in arizona and i would ask you again very strongly to consider granting them an extension. Find out there communities are entirely focused on issues of life and death during this pandemic. Sen. Roger wicker thank you so much. Limited about some loose ends in a do appreciate the commissioner indulging us. Theres some buildout and unserved areas through our u. S. , the role utility service. Is there a chance that in the process to be duplication there and how do we avoid that. There is not mr. Jimmy. Part of the order, we want to make sure there is no company, no provider than is under legal obligation are either federal or state program to fill that broadband to that area. Both types of areas, they would not be eligible in phase one. We dont want to give companies essentially twice the money to do the same thing. Sen. Roger wicker commissioner car, broadcasters in the process of implementing a technological evolution. Hpsc 3. 0. Over the next combined broadcasters list. Is there opportunity sadly beyond broadcasting. Can you please explain what the new ntsc zero technology is. How it works how you think this will facilitate greater applications in rural america. Given the question. I think twopoint oh is a really fascinating technology. Ajit pai it takes the same spectrum that americans perceive tonight over the television. The broadcasters use some or all of that to alter effectively at 25 megabits per second spurious think of it as a highspeed internet down lake and over its existing footprint so it can be used for anything from obtaining connective cars with these large scale files they make needing for mapping. It could be smart egg for also downloading movies on your phone for the future can be one while you dont have to necessarily have the same type of download pipe and upload pipe at the same time. He may be able to couple together a different option from different technologies and different spectrum get bands pretty think broadcast can be part of that future of productivity in the decision, removes the overhang of some regulations that could slow down the buildout nationwide a broadcast internet services. Sen. Roger wicker thank you. Commissioner oreilly, let me get your comment about universal service fund, stakeholders have voiced concerns about the sustainability of the funding mechanism. What solution do you recommend a penny to ensure the u. S. Is sustainable in the years ahead and what are your thoughts on making sure this remains sustainable. Comm. Oreilly it is not sustainable. So that recent increases because of this pandemic things going on but its the rising part far too long. Have been a number of ideas that are been put forward to. Of those pushed forward by the state commissioner which involved attacks on broadband prior to havent favored that. We havent been able to get past that conversation. I would ask any idea to be debated out. Lets figure out how to get a new mechanism for u. S. Of funding. How we collected. It. Sen. Roger wicker would you like to jump in on this conversation commissioners. I think that commissioner riley and i have had the pleasure of running universal Service Joint statement forward. Its hard to wrestle with these issues. And honestly is really hard because a system that was set up, the telecommunications a 1996, assumed the future was interstate Long Distance voice. What that means as that is what we have been up against in order to come up with all of these broadband funds pretty so that keeps rising because the pool the way are up against, keeps falling. Simple math. I think of come to the conclusion that we will have to work with this congress to get what comes next because i think the law of what we are contemplating in 1996 is quite adequate for the moment that we are in. Sen. Roger wicker doing this hearing today, can appreciate this a lot. The commission needs to work with congress. Temporarily, lifeline oversight. The expire in a day or two. Any plan to be sure that lifeline users remain collecte d while also does not express waste fraud or abuse. Ajit pai we try to make sure that we provided maximum flex ability for the consumers. For example just recently we could state can step up that the rural trial consumers, cant produce documentation are able to get 45 days or less of an application is submitted. The provider gets an additional time to verify their documentation. And relaxed enrollments and roles. We then taken others have sweet be happy to can considered to make this needs of this emergency. There been a whole bunch of different stuff like this that we are taking. To make sure that the consumer can have that connectivity. In a number of my colleagues, supported a very important in that process. Sen. Roger wicker thank you. We havent talked about replace yet. The fcc recently collected data from the telecommunication providers, names of all way. In networks based on the information on so far, are we doing. How much you think it will cost throughout the equipment and replace it from trusted suppliers. And we all agreed that this needs to be done and this Congress Agrees to. And according to the statute party. Ajit pai the estimate is that it would cost up to 2 million if you rip and replace it a different troop trusted vendors. We have a Data Collection that we have now received all of the information from the office of economics right up to that information to verify the nature of the equipment involved in with the scope or the price tag would be replacing it. So weve reached out, we be happy to work with your team to make sure that adequate resources are given to companies so that we can replace that. Sen. Roger wicker think its worth worth 2 million to the taxpayers. Ajit pai in this regard, it is needed. Making sure that we have trusted vendors. And our net work is incredibly important. Sen. Roger wicker what is the timeframe of getting this done. Ajit pai evening in terms of the mandate. In a rip and replace. In the trusted communication networks. As good as we can, i mean, we want to work with you to make sure that we do it as soon as possible through the issues that ive been banging the drum about for a couple of years. We need to make sure that we take action. Sen. Roger wicker hudson can be done. Ajit pai i can give you full answer because i dont know the nature of the funding being provided. I would hesitate to give you an answer. Thousands of providers out there are hundreds. The time frame shifts very significantly. Sen. Roger wicker lets talk about regulatory barriers. Commissioner clark. I think this is your question. The fcc recently approved an infrastructure order that clarifies key siting rules for Wireless Infrastructure deployment including five g. In various signing on existing infrastructure accelerate the networks of praise. I understand it is a leading commissioner on this order is that correct sir. And what effect do you see from five g upgrade order. Do you anticipate decreased investment bill that as result. Mr. Carr thank you for this question. In the accelerated building for structure. Our goal, the commission is a c5 jew built in every single community. The finish line was never went near a San Francisco see the first five rebuild. Wes break progress over the last couple of years. In one way we ultimately close the Digital Divide humans to make sure the internet infrastructure is available in every community. The five g upgrade order looks at the existing macro towers which serve Rural Communities. I was one in maryland, couple him get climb up the tower. Is Hardworking Taxpayers swapping out an antenna from a to g style. The five g incident took them less than an hour. But as a process can drag on for months and months. So we have dated and approach under section 649. Which Congress Passed i do think it will accelerate the upgrade to five g critically and Rural Communities. Sen. Roger wicker who will fight you on this. Ajit pai deals with the buildout of the internet and for structure. Pushback from state and local governments pretty. Mr. Carr ultimates alethea burke see the siting process for not been pleased by those pre begun support for a lot of state and local officials who want five g built out in the community. And understand that if we drive down the regulatory possibility now, it will happen in their communities faster. Sen. Roger wicker commissioner, will this be easy. Weve been here for three hours and nothing seems totally easy from this point. Sen. Roger wicker inc. You will, we have so many issues. No no no. Listen, we can streamline the deployment of infrastructure in this country. Absolutely given. Jessica rosenworcel will have a tenth amendment and a long history local control in this country. He will not take kindly to unelected people telling them what they can and cannot do their own backyard to clean and sober enough to figure out how to balance those two things. I would suggest this to be a future infrastructure legislation, but dollars attached to me she conditioned them on the resolution of signing and permits of the local level. Lets figure out to carrots for other than to get this done. Sen. Roger wicker we are anticipating such legislation. Jessica rosenworcel so i read. Sen. Roger wicker so can you tell us about the pending proceeding of the fcc to create a new radio broadcast class referred to as fm class c4. Have you ever heard of that. Ajit pai im a little bit about them is determined. Sen. Roger wicker can you just give us an update there and tell us with the considerations hard. Ajit pai appreciate the question. We have received a position from among other advocates suggesting that the creation of a class at four for certain radio protesters. I put that in the floor for my colleagues consideration. In the request of my colleagues, we converted was originally intended to be a rulemaking into a notice of inquiry. My understanding from last time that we had these discussions theres not majority support for going ahead with the rules were making. So i look forward to create a solution to try and advance the ball in a way that reflects consensus on this issue. Sen. Roger wicker who has doubts about this that you would like to voice. Yes commissioner oreilly. Comm. Oreilly i dont like to voice bible voiceprint have concerns, harmful interference from other radio broadcasters. And a disagreement among broadcasters and the impact of this and when it did and i asked the chairman to go from one to another. I thought we had a understand what it explain what this is. But the value is going for treatment in it. Hopefully this been fully fleshed out and they seen it. Sen. Roger wicker what is that. Comm. Oreilly is more big approaching a process. Sen. Roger wicker other people out there will very much benefit from that answer okay. Mr. The potter my last question. Commissioner carr, you said something that make sense to me. About how will we have done during this recent. As compared to her friends across the ocean and some adversaries across the ocean during in terms of the internet working read perform because of the private sectors massive investment in our internet infrastructure over the past years. So the question is, why did this happen. And you conclude that works under stress. The five g buildout. They are fostered by it like to touch. To infrastructure pertinent it keeps pace with changing technology. An apparently in your view also encourage Investment Funds and private sector which got us to this very position that weve had in the last few months. Youve expressed your opinion there. Anybody in the panel, a length anybody discuss this. And challenge it or take a different view. Do we all agree with the conclusion of the commissioner carr. In that regard read are you raising your hand. Jessica rosenworcel lets say that we are proud. Sen. Roger wicker i am proud. Jessica rosenworcel i think i would like that we collected data. Milliman collected standardized data on broadband outages print is not part of our Network Outage reporting systems and the one thing i would say, and im not sure if we know on a regional and local level, holland has performed because not collecting data on that pretty. Sen. Roger wicker and how would we do that. Jessica rosenworcel i think we would update our broadband age. We primarily collected data on legacy telephone outages. Just last week that a major wireless provider that had an outage that affected big part of the country. The Wireless Phone didnt work for made Major National provider. We gotta figure out how are outage system and recording and reporting reflects the way for people to use Services Today and we can use that data to make sure policies are smarter in the future. Sen. Roger wicker thank you. Okay chairman, you get the last word here. On that topic. Why, is it a fact that in our system perform so much better. Ajit pai i think the answer the commissioner carr gave is correct. If you get up from 60000 feet of the last three years, but that make very decisions. Some of the more popular and some of them were not so. But did the end of the day the print is in the pudding. Because of some of the positions we made, to give an up regulation in the infrastructure, get rid of heavy handed the regulation of business data services. To streamline the infrastructure deployment. To in courage companies. It these type of decisions, they need a get to create an incredibly strong incentive for companies to make necessary investments just like this. We have next some of these decisions. It had to proactively go to netflix and youtube means Understanding Services and ask them to throttle their own consumers bandwidth in order to make sure the networks didnt camp lapse pretty were incredibly proud duchess of the american broadbands performance but all of the building that were in place for that success. In the critical ones which was a Regulatory Framework that weve established for the last three years pretty. Sen. Roger wicker thank you and thank you all. And these are words that youve been longing to hear. This will be remaining open for two weeks during this time the senators are asked to submit any questions for the record. On the seat of the are requested to submit their written answers to the committee as soon as possible. Rhino no later than midnight wednesday july 29th, 2020. And i think you. In this hearing is now adjourned. [background sounds]. [background sounds]. [background sounds]. [background sounds]. [background sounds]. [background sounds]