View a pdf of this press release here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brittany-Rae Gregory
brittany-rae@nextcenturycities.org
Next Century Cities Advocates for the FCC
to Reevaluate Broadband Deployment Data
Collection Methods and Reporting
Washington D.C. (September 21, 2020) – Next Century Cities (“NCC”) submitted comments with Common Cause and Public Knowledge in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC”) request for input on whether broadband is being deployed to all Americans in a timely fashion. The agency’s findings will be documented in its 2021 Broadband Deployment Report. Click here to review the group filing.
NCC also joined members of the Broadband Connects America Coalition (BCA) in a letter that echoes the concerns laid out in the group filing, urging the FCC to increase the current benchmark speeds; develop more comprehensive data collection methods for measuring broadband deployment, especially in tribal areas and U.S. territories, so that information accurately reflects connectivity and adoption; recognize the limitations of mobile broadband service; and account for the unprecedented impact that the global COVID-19 pandemic has on deployment and broadband needs. Click here to review the BCA letter.
NCC’s Corian Zacher, Policy Counsel for Local & State Initiatives, expressed the following:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the many ways that millions of Americans who still lack reliable, high-speed home broadband subscriptions are more disconnected from society than ever. People living in all corners of the United States need affordable broadband with enough capacity for everyone in their household to connect with employers, healthcare providers, educators, family, and friends.
“The FCC can help solve this problem by accurately documenting the ongoing challenges to broadband access and adoption and collaborating with local and Tribal governments to find strategic ways to accelerate broadband deployment. Local officials and other stakeholders across the country are eager to work with the FCC to develop solutions that address the unique needs of their residents. Improving broadband data collections so that federal resources are directed towards the areas with the greatest needs will help empower otherwise forgotten communities with digital opportunities that allow every resident to work, learn, and access healthcare from the safety of their own homes.”
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Next Century Cities is a non-profit organization of over 200 communities, founded to support communities and their elected leaders. Our membership includes mayors and other officials who are working to ensure that all have access to fast, affordable, and reliable internet access. For more information, visit www.nextcenturycities.org .