Monday, June 21, 2021
Headlines Daily Digest
Today: Broadband Across the Nation
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Industry contests Biden's new broadband map
Could a fiber conduit interstate boost US broadband competition?
President Biden Nominates Xochitl Torres Small for Under Secretary of Rural Development
Broadband Infrastructure
Government & Communications
Antitrust
Health
Policymakers
Broadband Infrastructure
Groups representing broadband providers questioned the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's new "Indicators of Broadband Need" map, with various statements on its efficacy. Cable trade group NCTA - The Internet and Television Association argues that the interactive tool has "obscured, rather than clarified, the true state of broadband with [a] mashup of disparate, and often inaccurate, data sources." NCTA also supports federal efforts to create a "reliable, accurate" broadband map and has been working with the Federal Communications Commission to do so. Meanwhile, broadband trade group USTelecom is backing the FCC's new tool, which is similar to a pilot initiative the trade group led that sought to identify for every location in a given area whether broadband service is or is not available. USTelecom CEO Johnathan Spalter claimed that "the administration itself acknowledged this map is not authoritative—instead suggesting it is meant to let users compare existing coverage estimates. So we should take that at face value." White House officials have responded by stating that the map's variety of data sources clearly demonstrates an imminent need for federal investment to provide high-speed broadband to every American.
Shrihari Pandit, CEO of fiber ISP Stealth Communications, argued the creation of an open access conduit system across the US could help spur broadband competition by lowering barriers to entry for new players. Pandit pitched the construction of a conduit highway akin to the Interstate, which would allow fiber to be more easily run between cities and towns. The CEO stressed the government should only be responsible for building the conduits and not for running fiber or other lines, leaving decisions about what technology to use up to providers. In the long term, he argued such infrastructure would be more effective than government subsidies in spreading broadband across the US and increasing choice for consumers by allowing “independent ISPs to come back.” Indeed, New York City issued a request for proposals (RFP) for its Universal Solicitation for Broadband project, similar to what Pandit proposed. The RFP included three workstreams with one specifically dedicated to the creation of open access broadband infrastructure, and a pilot version of the program in 2020 resulted in numerous ISPs signing on to offer broadband to thousands in New York City. Analysts are critical of Pandits comments and a potential open access conduit system, saying that the idea has been around for a long time and could disenfranchise a number of companies which have already invested in fiber conduits and poles. Nevertheless, they note that now is the time to propose such a model due to the number of infrastructure and broadband proposals currently under consideration.
Recent revelations about Trump-era data grabs by federal authorities have put the US in a tricky spot as it competes with China to lead the digital age. As the Trump Justice Department pursued leaks and critics in Congress, the media, and the White House itself, it obtained court orders to scoop up data from Apple, Microsoft and other tech providers. Then courts put the companies under gag orders that blocked them from warning their customers they'd been targeted, or even revealing the existence of the gag orders themselves. These Trump-era gag orders continued a long tradition of the US government simultaneously grabbing data from tech companies and demanding their silence, dating back to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Courts created in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. However, the frequency and possible partisan motivation of the data grabs and gag orders could undercut US leverage as it rallies allies to oppose China and negotiates a new agreement with Europe on data sharing and storage.
Policymakers
President Biden Nominates Xochitl Torres Small for Under Secretary of Rural Development, Department of Agriculture
President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Xochitl Torres Small for Under Secretary of Rural Development, Department of Agriculture. The granddaughter of migrant farmworkers, Xochitl Torres Small grew up in the borderlands of New Mexico. In 2018, Torres Small became the first woman and first person of color to represent New Mexico’s second congressional district, the largest district that isn’t its own state. During the pandemic, Rep Torres Small helped secure tens of millions of dollars for broadband in New Mexico through the United States Department of Agriculture's ReConnect Program. Torres Small has raised the alarm on broadband disparities through serving on House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC)’s Rural Broadband Taskforce and as an original cosponsor of the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Torres Small helped build the case for dairy farmers harmed by Canada’s violation of the United States Mexico Canada Agreement, and drafted legislation to help local farmers and rural communities invest in infrastructure to navigate new markets. Throughout her career, Torres Small has employed her experience organizing in vulnerable, rural communities to achieve lasting investments that combat persistent poverty.
Benton (www.benton.org) provides the only free, reliable, and non-partisan daily digest that curates and distributes news related to universal broadband, while connecting communications, democracy, and public interest issues. Posted Monday through Friday, this service provides updates on important industry developments, policy issues, and other related news events. While the summaries are factually accurate, their sometimes informal tone may not always represent the tone of the original articles. Headlines are compiled by Kevin Taglang (headlines AT benton DOT org) and Robbie McBeath (rmcbeath AT benton DOT org) — we welcome your comments.
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