Wicker Seeks Broadband Map Money; Pallone Wants FCC Action
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., told the Competitive Carriers Association virtual conference Wednesday he hopes Congress supports maps needed for a 5G Fund, set for a commissioner vote Tuesday (see 2010060060). House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., agreed on the importance of maps, saying the FCC needs to act regardless of funding.
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Twenty million Americans lack broadband access, pointing to the importance of accurate maps, Wicker said. “For years, the FCC’s maps have overstated broadband coverage … claiming that Mississippi had 98% mobile broadband coverage, a ridiculous claim.” Congress approved the Broadband Data Act this year but without paying for collection, he said: “The FCC says it needs $65 million to implement this change, and I’m working with the Appropriations Committee to make sure sufficient funding is provided.”
Before spending money on 5G deployment, the maps need to be accurate, Wicker said. “I appreciate the commitment of FCC commissioners not to move forward with the 5G Fund until the maps are completed.”
“There are few things on our committee that unite Republicans and Democrats in the way that the broadband mapping bill does,” Pallone said. “We’ve all seen the FCC’s maps that drastically overstate the options available.” He fears the agency “is looking for any excuse to stall” and refusing “to dedicate the resources necessary to fix their maps and instead are asking Congress for additional funding,” he said: “Congress must ensure that the FCC stays to its task and actually does its work.” If the regulator needs more money, “we have to find it,” he said. Pallone hopes the next chairman “will prioritize policy based on good data, including accurate maps.”
Pallone emphasized the importance of Congress funding a program to pay for replacing Chinese equipment in carrier networks. “It’s going to cost billions of dollars to replace all the suspect equipment … and Congress needs to provide appropriations to make that happen as quickly as possible,” he said. The FCC didn't comment.
During the pandemic, competitive carrier advocacy is more important, said CCA President Steve Berry. People need connectivity, “and that most definitely includes wireless,” he said. A student who needs a connection today “can get online with a wireless hot spot instead of waiting for a service call and a wired connection,” he said.
“The FCC should be commended for moving forward with a 5G Fund based on updated, more reliable maps to target that support, just as Wicker urged in his remarks,” Berry emailed.
CCA members need a voice in Washington, especially now, Berry said. “Things are changing rapidly, and small carriers, especially those serving remote and rural areas, have to be at the table,” he said. “At times like this, policy changes can happen at lightning speeds.” All carriers need access to spectrum, devices compatible with their network and “sound infrastructure policies that allow them to build out networks and provide the services that consumers demand,” he said: “These are all governmental policy, functions and decisions.”
COVID-19 was “the ultimate surprise stress tests,” said Commissioner Brendan Carr, interviewed by Berry. “America’s internet infrastructure held up exceptionally well.” U.S. wireless speeds increased during the pandemic, he said: U.S. carriers “have been investing like no other providers in the world.”
Open radio access networks will be a “game-changer,” Carr said. Many smaller providers felt for a long time “they had very few options” beyond Huawei and ZTE, he said. “With ORAN, we’re going to get competition on the software level for performing all of these network functions that used to be carried out by expensive … pieces of hardware,” he said: “We’re going to get a more affordable network, a higher-performing network and far more secure network as we have a range of U.S.-based providers that can now compete for business on the software level.” Carr hopes ORAN technology is in place by when carriers have to replace Chinese gear.
CCA members are "very concerned about the supply chain issue and security issues,” Berry said. “We agree” ORAN “has the potential to help,” he said.
“As our nation has weathered the coronavirus pandemic, Americans have seen that technology can be pivotal in sustaining daily life,” Wicker said. “Classrooms have gone online,” he said: “Hospitals have made use of telehealth services, and businesses have become accustomed to meeting by Zoom … or Webex.” Unlike in some nations, the surge didn't diminish network performance, Wicker said.