Genachowski Stmt on Proposed State Legislation Restricting Broadband
NEWS
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See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
February 15, 2013Justin Cole, 202-210-2437
Email: Justin.Cole@fcc.gov
STATEMENT FROM FCC CHAIRMAN JULIUS GENACHOWSKI ON PROPOSED
MUNICIPAL BROADBAND LEGISLATION
Washington, D.C. – The following statement is attributable to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski:“High-speed broadband is vitally important to our global competitiveness and the continued
growth of our economy, and we must keep pushing for faster speeds and greater capacity through new
investments in broadband networks. This investment has and will come overwhelmingly from the private
sector, which is why it’s vital that we continue to focus on policies to incentivize private investment and
remove barriers to broadband build-out.
As we’ve recognized in law and policy for many years, public-private partnerships are also
essential for driving broadband deployment. Public-private partnerships like the Connect America Fund,
which drives universal broadband deployment, and municipal and public -private projects like those in
Chattanooga, Tennessee and San Leandro, California are also vital components of our national broadband
strategy. Our Gigabit City Challenge and the important work of Gig.U to drive ultra -fast broadband
centers for innovation can also benefit from innovative local approaches to broadband infrastructure.
That’s why the National Broadband Plan stated that, when private investment isn’t a feasible
option for broadband deployment, local governments ‘have the right to move forward and build networks
that serve their constituents as they deem appropriate.’
If a community can’t gain access to broadband services that meet its needs, then it should be able
to serve its own residents directly. Proposals that would tie the hands of innovative communities that want
to build their own high-speed networks will slow progress to our nation’s broadband goals and will hurt
economic development and job creation in those areas. I urge state and local leaders to focus instead on
proposals that incentivize investment in broadband infrastructure, remove barriers to broadband build-out,
and ensure widespread access to high-speed networks.”
-FCC-
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