Delgado goes to bat for broadband legislation
U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado has proposed legislation that that would compel broadband companies to accurately report mapping practices and increase speed standards in rural communities.
In a conference call with reporters Wednesday, Delgado, D-Rhinebeck, called for passage of the Broadband Speed Act and the Community Broadband Mapping Act.
“[Under] current law, broadband providers are only required to report to the FCC on the speed they advertise,” Delgado said.
The Broadband Speed Act would change that.
“This is really forcing or requiring these providers to give real data on who, in fact, has what and to what degree, and not just what they advertise,” the congressman said.
Reporting inaccurate information would result in the providers being fined, he said.
The Community Broadband Mapping Act would “empower local communities to accurately assess who has access to broadband and at what speeds, and who has been left behind by the digital divide,” Delgado says on his official website.
“This legislation will also allow local governments and concerned citizens to challenge flawed FCC maps by gathering their own data — empowering them to figure out where there are coverage gaps,” the website says. “Our rural communities need broadband internet that is accessible, reliable and matches their internet needs, and these measures are important steps to closing the digital divide.”