House Adopts CWA-Backed Broadband Mapping Bill

CWA commended the House of Representatives this week on passage of the Broadband Census of America Act of 2007, calling for the mapping of broadband speeds and access throughout the country.  The action moves the nation another step closer to bringing high speed Internet access to every American, said CWA President Larry Cohen.

"In order for our country to move forward to ensure that a 21st century Internet is available for all, we need better data to help us get there. This measure will greatly improve the quality of that information," he said. 

The bill was passed by a voice vote in the House and the Senate is on track to take up similar legislation shortly.  It incorporates key provisions supported by CWA as part of the union's "Speed Matters" campaign, which calls on Congress to establish a national Internet policy to improve the quality, availability and affordability of high speed broadband service to every community. More information is available at www.speedmatters.org.

Rep. Ed Markey, chairman of the House subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, cited CWA's support for the measure in a statement on the House floor.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the build-out of high speed Internet communications will fuel the development of millions of new jobs in the United States. "We must ensure that the United States has the telecommunications infrastructure to bridge the digital divide so that every American will have access to affordable and robust broadband Internet service.  This bill puts us on that path," she added.

The bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to report the actual number of residential and business broadband subscribers per postal zip code, which would bring about a significant increase in needed data.

It also directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to produce a consumer-friendly online map, showing the types of broadband access available by company and area.