Statement of Congressman John D. Dingell, Chairman
Committee on Energy and Commerce

FLOOR STATEMENT
ON H.R. 3919, THE “BROADBAND CENSUS OF AMERICA ACT OF 2007”

November 13, 2007

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3919, the “Broadband Census of America Act of 2007”.

This bipartisan legislation marks an important step in bringing us closer to affordable, robust broadband service for all Americans.

Currently the Government does not adequately collect information on the extent of broadband deployment and usage in the United States. H.R. 3919 addresses this knowledge gap by improving the quality and quantity of data that the Government is authorized to collect concerning broadband availability and subscribership. Armed with this information, Government decision-makers will have the in-depth information necessary to craft informed, coherent broadband policy.

H.R. 3919 calls for the creation of a national broadband inventory map. This map will depict, at granular levels, where broadband service is available. We are informed by the efforts of States such as Kentucky that have successfully developed similar maps. State-level experience tells us that this map will likely spur the deployment of additional broadband facilities and will be a valuable resource for consumers.

H.R. 3919 will also jump start efforts by local communities to improve broadband deployment and usage through the creation of grant programs to facilitate the collection of data for the broadband inventory map and local technology planning. These programs will help bring broadband facilities to communities that currently have little or no service.

This is a good bill produced through positive, bipartisan efforts. I commend Ranking Member Barton, Subcommittee Chairman Markey, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Upton for their leadership and contributions to this legislation. I am proud to support it, and I urge my colleagues to vote for it.