South SFV Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) on April 19 introduced the Community Broadband Act to improve internet and broadband access across the country by removing roadblocks prohibiting local communities from building their own broadband networks.

“Today, tens of millions of Americans completely lack high speed internet, and as we’ve seen throughout the pandemic, internet is essential to access crucial services and keep people connected,” said Rep. Eshoo. “The Community Broadband Act will bridge the digital divide and help local governments enable connectivity, increase economic growth, and create jobs by building local broadband systems. I'm eager to see this legislation move forward to better connect our nation.”

“Internet access is a basic necessity, yet millions of Americans aren’t getting the broadband access they need,” said Senator Booker. “In order to empower local communities, we must expand access to high-speed, affordable internet so we can bridge the digital divide between communities across our country. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill that would allow for a more connected and equitable society, as well as unlock new opportunities for innovation and economic growth for all.”

Twenty-one states have passed laws that either restrict or outright prohibit local communities from investing local dollars in building their own broadband networks. These laws shield incumbent internet service providers (ISPs) from competition and tie the hands of communities that want to improve broadband options or build-out to unserved areas that private providers refuse to connect. A recent study from New America's Open Technology Institute found that community-owned ISPs offer higher speed and lower prices for users than incumbent ISPs. The Community Broadband Act nullifies state laws that inhibit local governments from building their own broadband, preserving the right to self-determination for local communities.

The Community Broadband Act is endorsed by the following organizations:

• National Association of Counties
• Engine
• Consumer Reports
• Utilities Technology Council
• National League of Cities
• Fiber Broadband Association
• Common Cause
• United States Conference of Mayors
• American Public Power Association
• Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition
• National Digital Inclusion Alliance
• Fiber Optic Sensing Association
• National Association of Telecommunications Officers & Advisors
• Next Level Networks, Inc.
• Accelerator for America
• New America's Open Technology Institute
• Center for Democracy and Technology
• Access Now

“Consumer Reports is delighted to endorse the Community Broadband Act authored and introduced by Representative Eshoo,” said Jonathan Schwantes, Senior Policy Counsel for Consumer Reports. “Currently, millions of Americans lack access to high-speed broadband, and this bill will enable local communities to build affordable, reliable broadband networks in areas that have been left without connectivity. Additionally, it will remove barriers for local governments and communities to build and operate broadband networks, promoting healthy competition.”

“The Utilities Technology Council (UTC) commends Representative Eshoo for her continued leadership in reintroducing the Community Broadband Act. Today, Internet access has become a necessity for the American people, and this legislation will help to close the digital divide. Public power utilities and electric cooperatives are uniquely positioned to promote access to robust, reliable, and affordable broadband service, yet 22 states currently restrict or prohibit them from offering broadband. The Community Broadband Act will help preempt those restrictions, which are a vestige of the past, written to protect incumbent providers, and now serve only to widen the digital divide. For many years, utilities have been successfully deploying broadband infrastructure and/or providing broadband internet service to their communities. The Community Broadband Act will enable all utilities in every state across the nation to promote access to robust, reliable, and affordable broadband for all Americans,” said UTC President and CEO Sheryl Osiene-Riggs.

“Community broadband networks provide people affordable and reliable access to high-speed broadband internet service—a basic necessity in today’s digital first world of online school assignments, remote work, telehealth, and digital government services. OTI’s research shows they promote competition, and incentivize all providers to deploy faster, more reliable and affordable internet. The Community Broadband Act eliminates legal barriers so that we can harness the social and economic benefits of community broadband networks for all,” said Lilian Coral, Senior Director of New America’s Open Technology Institute and Head of Technology and Democracy Programs.

“The Fiber Broadband Association believes that it is a national imperative to ensure all Americans have access to high-speed, reliable broadband connectivity. Unfortunately not all communities have access to experienced broadband providers and these communities must step up to ensure that no one is left behind on the wrong side of the digital divide. These critical community providers include a wide range of municipal providers, Tribes, utility co-ops, public-private partnerships, and nonprofits across the U.S. We applaud Congresswoman Eshoo for introducing the Community Broadband Act to ensure everyone has an opportunity to provide fiber broadband service and receive it,” said Gary Bolton, President & CEO, Fiber Broadband Association. 

“To truly have a chance of closing the digital divide and leveraging new federal broadband programs, communities must have every tool at their disposal. The Community Broadband Act would empower cities, towns and villages in every state to choose for themselves whether and how to invest in locally-owned broadband infrastructure. Without this flexibility for communities, federal broadband grant programs will not be able to reach their full potential.” – National League of Cities

“Many communities throughout the US don’t have access to fast or reliable broadband infrastructure to support 21st century requirements for work, school and household needs. Representative Eshoo and Senator Booker have proposed legislation that will remove barriers to communities that wish to offer locally owned and operated high speed fiber broadband in locations where telecom providers are not meeting the needs of their communities. Next Level Networks strongly supports this legislation, so that communities will have additional options to deliver high-speed broadband infrastructure to their residents and businesses,” said David Barron, CEO, Next Level Networks, Inc.

“National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) welcomes this opportunity to join with cities, towns, counties and advocates for consumers, civil rights and digital equity as well as the community broadband industry and utilities in supporting the Community Broadband Act. Thank you, Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo for reintroducing the Community Broadband Act of 2023.  This legislation will empower local governments to ensure their residents have equitable broadband access by removing roadblocks for public-private partnerships and locally-owned broadband providers,” said Mike Lynch, Legislative Director, NATOA.

The bill text can be found HERE.

Original source can be found here