ACA Connects President and CEO Grant Spellmeyer recently was an expert witness for the House Energy and Commerce Committee Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing on rural broadband.
Spellmeyer delivered a message in the hearing that America’s small, rural, and independent broadband providers are leading to reach unserved locations in their communities. To help them finish the job of bridging the digital divide, he asked the panel of influential lawmakers to fix the BEAD program and lift permitting burdens slowing the deployment of broadband.
If you missed it, here are three videos to get you up to speed.
America’s Communications Association is Rural Broadband Strong
Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) on making changes to the BEAD program: “We must act quickly to course correct so that billions of American taxpayer dollars are not wasted, so people get access to service and a quicker and more prompt way.”
Subcommittee Chair Richard Hudson (R-NC): “That’s why today, I—along with many Republicans on this Committee—introduced the SPEED for BEAD Act. This bill would eliminate the burdensome Biden regulations so that we can get money out the door and shovels into the ground as soon as possible.”
Spellmeyer: “The areas that remain in need of service are the most-costly to serve. The job won’t get done ‘but for’ BEAD funding… We are ready to finish the job. We urge Congress to fine tune the BEAD program and get shovels in the ground later this year.”
Lift Mandates in BEAD & Get Shovels in the Ground
Chairman Guthrie and Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA) asked Spellmeyer about how and why the BEAD program must be quickly fixed.
Spellmeyer: “The good news is I don’t think we need to restart the process, which has been suggested. I think [the federal government] can move expeditiously to strip out the stuff that needs to be stripped out and then go about the business of finishing it.”
Speed up Deployments with Permitting Reforms
Congressman Buddy Carter (R-GA), Congressman Russ Fulcher (R-ID), and Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL) asked Spellmeyer about how lifting permitting and regulatory burdens will empower small and independent providers to deploy high-speed internet in rural America.
Spellmeyer: “Providers are telling me three years is a regular time to sit around and wait for some of this [permitting] to move.”
“[Shot clocks] alone would make a huge difference.”