For years, the Federal Communications Commission's broadband reports have been widely criticized for overstating U.S. broadband infrastructure penetration and presenting an overly optimistic national picture of broadband deployment, particularly in rural areas. As the 110th Congress nears its final days, Sen. Daniel Inouye calls upon lawmakers to approve a broadband mapping plan for the FCC.WASHINGTON—With time quickly
waning for the 110
th Congress, Sen. Daniel Inouye again called upon
lawmakers Sept. 16 to approve legislation to improve the quality of federal
broadband data collection. As Inouye put it, "I believe we cannot manage
problems that we do not measure."
Inouye, the Hawaiian Democrat who serves as chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee
on Commerce, Science & Transportation, introduced the Broadband Data
Improvement Act (S. 1492) in May 2007. Two months later, the Commerce Committee
unanimously approved the bill, but a Senate floor vote has yet to be scheduled.
Inouye's bill focuses on forcing the FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
to change its method for counting U.S.
broadband subscribers. For years, the FCC's reports have been widely criticized
for overstating U.S.
broadband penetration and presenting an overly optimistic national picture of
broadband deployment, particularly in rural areas.
"This is not about regulation or deregulation," Inouye said.
"This is about getting the facts, because from good information flows good
policy. So I hope in the remaining days of this Congress that the members of
this committee can work together to advance this bill in the Senate. Together
we can look back and say we understood that broadband matters and that we did
something about it."
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