Measuring Broadband Access: Congress Passes Legislation Requiring Broadband Surveys

Created by Anna Gould (EDUCAUSE) on October 2, 2008

Before you can fix the problem, you must diagnose it.

On Tuesday, September 30, Congress passed the final version of S. 1492, the Broadband Data Improvement Act. It is expected that President Bush will sign the bill into law. The legislation requires the government to keep track of who has quick access to the Internet in the United States. Specifically, it requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to collect consumer surveys on broadband access in rural, urban, and suburban locations. Furthermore, the surveys would also cover small and large business markets.

The FCC will use the surveys to draw up a list of those locations that lack broadband service. They will include population and income level statistics with that information as well.

The lead sponsor of S. 1492, Sen. Daniel Inouye, is a supporter of greater access to broadband. He says you must measure the problem before you can manage it. Ostensibly, this bill takes the first step in completing the senator's mission.

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		Measuring Broadband Access: Congress Passes Legislation Requiring Broadband Surveys Created by Anna Gould (EDUCAUSE) on October 2, 2008 Before you can fix the problem, you must diagnose it. On Tuesday, September 30, Congress passed the final version of S. 1492, the Broadband Data Improvement Act. It is expected that President Bush will sign the bill into law. The legislation requires the government to keep track of who has quick access to the Internet in the United States. Specifically, it requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to collect consumer surveys on broadband access in rural, urban, and suburban locations. Furthermore, the surveys would also cover small and large business markets. The FCC will use the surveys to draw up a list of those locations that lack broadband service. They will include population and income level statistics with that information as well. The lead sponsor of S. 1492, Sen. Daniel Inouye, is a supporter of greater access to broadband. He says you must measure the problem before you can manage it. Ostensibly, this bill takes the first step in completing the senator's mission. Washington Update \| Broadband Access and Pricing \| Broadband Policy \| FCC \| National Broadband Policy Anna's blog Login or register to post comments 166 reads
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