Today, Next Century Cities Executive Director Deb Socia acted as a witness during a congressional hearing on “Breaking Down Barriers to Broadband Infrastructure Deployment,” held by the House of Representatives Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. Speaking on behalf of the over 120 member communities in Next Century Cities, Deb offered Committee Members guidance from communities across the country on a range of critical broadband issues, from the value of ‘dig once’ policies to the considerations around pole attachments. Today’s testimony follows up on an earlier hearing in July and seeks to provide greater perspective on existing barriers to broadband deployment as the House considers bills to encourage broadband network development.

The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Members also heard testimony from three other experts and leaders in the field regarding the need for stronger investments in broadband infrastructure in order to create thriving communities across the country. For more information on the hearing, including Deb’s complete testimony, see here.