Congress Needs To Rewrite the Telecom Act, Congressional Black Caucus Chief Says

“I like this idea,” remarked Butterfield of an overhaul of the Telecom Act. “I probably wouldn’t have thought that way two years ago.” House and Senate Republicans have said they want to overhaul the act. House Republicans abandoned the idea of a comprehensive rewrite bill earlier this year but say they still want to pursue an update through smaller pieces of telecom legislation.

“The Internet is not a nicety, it is a necessity,” said Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., a former CBC chairman. He praised its utility for applying for jobs and connecting to healthcare and “then relationships, connecting to feminine friends,” he added. “But you can’t get access to Social Security and other social services, you can’t find information about health issues you might be having, and you can’t get the best deals for your income, for your money, without the Internet, including cars and homes.”

Cleaver pointed to the double-edged sword of Google Fiber. The company is building out a fast fiber network in the Kansas City area, partially in Missouri, but Google Fiber’s power is “also perilous for those that are precluded,” Cleaver warned, bringing up the concept of “digital redlining” involving certain neighborhoods that didn't meet the preregistration qualifications that Google set, suggesting that certain African-American and Hispanic neighborhoods wouldn't receive the service. “That’s what’s happening with Google, that’s what’s happening with the digital divide,” he cautioned. “Our streets are going to get paved last.” Google Fiber is partnering with the Obama administration’s ConnectHome program to help offer free Internet service to low-income households in its territories for no money (see 1507150053">1507150053), a development announced Wednesday that Cleaver didn't mention.

“Digital inclusion is a community effort, and each of us has a role to play in getting more people online," a Google spokeswoman countered to us. "Google Fiber has long invested in initiatives such as an affordable basic Internet plan and programs aimed at improving digital literacy and awareness. Getting more people connected is a priority for us, and we look forward to continuing our work with local partners, cities and the community to address this complex problem.” She mentioned Google's backing for a Digital Inclusion Fund, the launch of its Community Connections program and a partnership with the local housing authority to open a computer lab.

Butterfield backs “digital inclusion” and called the members of MMTC “natural allies” and “aligned” on the question for capital for minorities. “Access to capital -- we don’t have the money, we don’t innovate,” said Butterfield. He slammed tech companies for what he called their lack of diversity. “Diversity at all levels of the tech sector is virtually nonexistent,” he said, citing a lack of African-American workers filling tech jobs and sitting on corporate boards. “Absolutely embarrassing.” He criticized companies that don't release data about the level of diversity within their ranks and praised those that do, even when the data is what he judged embarrassing.

Access to broadband on smartphones is “not enough,” affirmed Florida Public Service Commissioner Ronald Brise. He called for “ubiquitous” broadband. Catherine Pugh (D), a Maryland state senator and president-elect of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, agreed that smartphone broadband access isn't sufficient. Pugh also emphasized the importance of spectrum and called on the FCC to “maximize opportunities” for “bona fide” designated entities: “Let’s not sleep the next decade in how we move ahead as a country.” The FCC needs to create a bidding credit for any carrier working with a small disadvantaged business, she said, emphasizing the need for these secondary market transactions to be possible without FCC management. “Let’s not make it so burdensome that people are turned off by the process.”

Former Reps. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., and Ed Towns, D-N.Y., spoke of the importance of MMTC’s New Telecom and Internet Policy Task Force, which they co-chair. Stearns said they use the task force to educate lawmakers and stressed the need for a telecom law update. “It’s been 19 years since the Telecom Act in 1996 was passed,” Stearns said. “We think it’s time to have a new Telecom Act. Back then, we didn’t have eBay, we didn’t have Netflix, we didn’t have Google.” Stearns lunched with House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., and made that point and also raised his objections to FCC reclassification of broadband as a Communications Act Title II service, he recounted. Walden “indicated he’s going to let the courts work it out” and has his legislation as a backup step, Stearns said. Towns underscored the “crucial” respect that MMTC engenders.

Ex-Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., praised MMTC for its advocacy in pressing the FCC on extending Lifeline service to apply to broadband. “It was just a stunning act of effective advocacy,” Boucher, now honorary chairman of the Internet Innovation Alliance, said of a letter that MMTC had helped assemble. “The FCC acknowledged what MMTC has recommended.”