Broadband

Objective

Advocate for the enactment of a comprehensive national broadband policy.

Summary of the Issue

Broadband applications and services have the power to transform the American economy by spurring investment and innovation in e-commerce, education, health care, entertainment, government, and almost every other sector of the American economy. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce believes the nation's position as a leader in technology and innovation depends upon the establishment of a clearly defined vision coupled with a commitment, both public and private, to invest in future infrastructure and applications of broadband technologies. Specifically, the U.S. Chamber advocates for:

• Broadband – The U.S. Chamber recognizes that increased demand for broadband is critical to the development of new applications and services. Unfortunately, the nation's telecommunications laws have failed to keep pace with advances in technology, stifled new investment, and hindered the deployment of new technologies. To educate policymakers, the business community, and the public about the need for updated telecommunications and the importance of broadband to the U.S. economy, the U.S. Chamber has formed the TeleCONSENSUS coalition.
  
• Right-of-Way Procedures – Current right-of-way procedures often discourage companies from investing in new broadband infrastructure. The U.S. Chamber maintains that the federal government should streamline right-of-way procedures at the federal, state, and local levels.
  
• Spectrum Allocation and Management – Businesses and consumers increasingly rely on wireless devices, such as cell phones, and this demand calls for additional frequencies to deliver content. Yet the artificial scarcity of spectrum deters companies from deploying new wireless technologies. The federal government should develop a comprehensive, unified, national spectrum management strategy designed to reduce the artificial scarcity of spectrum.

U.S. Chamber Strategy

• Host forums on the importance of broadband to the U.S. economy.
  
• Recruit new trade associations, chambers of commerce, telecommunications providers, equipment manufacturers, businesses, and consumers for TeleCONSENSUS.
  
• Lobby Congress and the administration to pass updated telecommunications laws during the 109th Congress.

Staff Contact Information

Environment, Technology & Regulatory Affairs Division
(202) 463-5533
environment@uschamber.com