Blackburn Seeks Tech-Neutral Approach on Broadband

Lawmakers need to adopt a technology-neutral approach to broadband spending in a final infrastructure spending package rather than back President Joe Biden’s legislative proposal for “future-proof” networks in a way that would direct most spending to fiber, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., told a Wednesday virtual FCBA event. She echoed what some other Senate Communications Subcommittee Republicans said during a Tuesday hearing (see 2106220066). The goal of closing the digital divide is falsely “conflated with discussions of future proofing” and global competitiveness, Blackburn said; The focus should be on getting more basic broadband infrastructure into unserved areas. Proposals to target significant funding toward networks capable of delivering a minimum of 100 Mbps symmetrical are “a roadblock” to wider access and represent a “separate policy prerogative,” she said. Rural Americans “need broadband now” and shouldn’t be ignored in favor of a push for a “Cadillac network” that would exclude “millions” of people. “Digging trenches through the hills of east Tennessee isn’t necessarily a practical solution,” Blackburn said. She said lawmakers can “reach consensus” on achieving both expanded access and future proofing, but that’s impossible “if we focus exclusively on fiber” and don’t allocate some money to wireless and other tech. Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Roger Wicker, R-Miss., wrote the Agriculture, Education and Treasury departments Wednesday asking them to report on distribution of broadband funding in COVID-19 bills. Congress “spent billions of dollars” to "fund multiple programs across the federal government that support the expansion of broadband connectivity and services to unserved and underserved locations,” Wicker said. “It is critical that both Congress and the agencies ensure that these funds are distributed in a way that avoids overbuilding, duplication of funding, and wasteful spending.” Blackburn told FCBA she believes lawmakers can pass privacy legislation this Congress. She cited planned hearings (see 2106100064) and said the parties are “not that far apart” on major aspects of a comprehensive measure. Blackburn also eyed the Senate’s approach to antitrust legislation aimed at curbing major tech companies (see 2106230063).