Wicker, Other Senators Urge 'Full Funding' for Broadband Mapping

Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., led a letter with 17 other senators Monday urging Senate leaders to “provide full funding” to implement the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act (S-1822) and reimburse U.S. telecom companies that replace suspect network equipment, per the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act (HR-4998). The FCC and supportive lawmakers sought $1.6 billion-$1.8 billion for HR-4998 funding and $65 million to implement S-1822 (see 2009140062). Commissioners vote Thursday on an order to set up the reimbursement program that HR-4998 established (see 2011190059). The “rip and replace” reimbursements HR-4998 set up are “a national security imperative,” Wicker and the other senators wrote. “Fully funding this program is essential to protecting the integrity of our communications infrastructure and the future viability of our digital economy at large.” The $65 million for S-182 is needed to “ensure more accurate broadband maps and better stewardship over the millions of dollars the federal government awards each year to support broadband deployment,” the senators said. “Without these maps, the government risks overbuilding existing networks, duplicating funding already provided, and leaving communities unserved.” The House-passed FY 2021 appropriations bill for the FCC (HR-7617) included $65 million for S-1822 funding (see 2007080064). The Senate Appropriations Committee proposes $15 million (see 2011100041).