U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate today passed S. 1492, the Broadband Data Improvement Act, which seeks to improve the quality of federal broadband data collection and encourages state initiatives that promote broadband deployment. The bill was sponsored by Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and cosponsored by Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Barbara Boxer (D-Cal.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).

“If the United States is to remain a world leader in technology, we need a national broadband network that is second-to-none,” said Chairman Inouye. “The federal government has a responsibility to ensure the continued rollout of broadband access, as well as the successful deployment of the next generation of broadband technology. But as I have said before, we cannot manage what we do not measure. This bill will give us the baseline statistics we need in order to eventually achieve the successful deployment of broadband access and services to all Americans.”

The Broadband Data Improvement Act specifically would:

Direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct inquiries into the deployment of advanced telecommunications services on an annual, rather than periodic, basis.

Direct the Census Bureau to include a question in its American Community Survey that assesses levels of residential computer use and dial-up versus broadband Internet subscribership.

Direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to develop broadband metrics that may be used to provide consumers with broadband connection cost and capability information and improve the process of comparing the deployment and penetration of broadband in the United States with other countries.

Direct the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy to conduct a study evaluating the impact of broadband speed and price on small businesses.

Establish a program that would provide matching grants to State non-profit, public-private partnerships in support of efforts to more accurately identify barriers to broadband adoption throughout the State.

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September 2008 Press Releases

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27th -

Senate Passes Maritime Administration Reauthorization

27th -

Hutchison Praises Congressional Passage of NASA Reauthorization Bill

26th -

current Press Release

26th -

Senate Passes National Sea Grant College Program Reauthorization

26th -

Senate Passes Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2008

26th -

Commerce Committee Approves CPB and DOT Nominations, USCG Promotions

26th -

Senate Gives Coast Guard Increased Authority to Interdict Submarines Smuggling Drugs into the United States

25th -

Senator Hutchison Calls for Increased Transparency and Disclosure in Online Advertising

25th -

Inouye Praises House Passage of Rail Safety and Amtrak Bill, Calls for Immediate Passage in Senate

25th -

Senate Approves National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008

24th -

Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Spent Nuclear Fuel Transportation Safety Hearing

23rd -

Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Broadband Consumer Privacy Hearing

23rd -

Inouye Urges Agencies to Redouble DTV Transition Efforts

22nd -

Commerce Committee Announces Hearing to Examine Safety of Spent Nuclear Fuel Transportation

18th -

Senator Hutchison Calls for Improved Bus Safety Standards

18th -

Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for DTV Transition Hearing

18th -

Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for U.S.-Korea Automobile Trade Imbalance Hearing

17th -

Commerce Committee to Examine Consumer Privacy Issues Related to Broadband Service Providers

16th -

Senator Hutchison Commends Dept. of Commerce for Helping Nursing Homes with DTV Converter Box Program

16th -

Inouye Calls for Immediate Passage of S.1492, the Broadband Data Improvement Act

16th -

Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Bus Safety Hearing

12th -

Commerce Committee to Hear Testimony from Corporation for Public Broadcasting Nominees

12th -

Commerce Committee to Review Progress of DTV Transition with FCC, NTIA

12th -

Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Consumer Benefits of Broadband

11th -

Commerce Committee Releases MARAD Bill Financial Disclosure Certification

11th -

Commerce Committee Cancels Hearing to Examine Marine Protected Areas

10th -

Senator Hutchison Cosponsors Calling Card Legislation to Help Consumers

9th -

Commerce Committee to Hold Hearing on Consumer Benefits of Broadband

8th -

Commerce Committee to Examine Marine Protected Areas

8th -

Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Prepaid Calling Card Hearing

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Hearing Room: 253 Russell Senate Office Bldg • Washington, DC 20510-6125
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