Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) of the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee has unveiled three bills aimed at promoting broadband deployment to advance broadband infrastructure in rural communities. The three bills include the Making Available Plans to Promote Investment in Next Generation Networks without Overbuilding and Waste (MAPPING NOW) Act which would return the national broadband map project to the Commerce Department. The Promoting Exchanges for Enhanced Routing of Information so Networks are Great (PEERING) Act would create a grant program to improve Internet peering centers in unserved and underserved areas. The Wireless Internet Focus on Innovation in Spectrum Technology for Unlicensed Deployment (WIFI STUDY) Act directs the comptroller general to conduct a study on the role unlicensed spectrum plays in carrying Internet traffic. Chairman Blackburn stated that these bills will establish a clear, consistent framework for broadband technologies to flourish, ensuring that the government is not picking winners and losers, and will help unleash innovation and create a connected, resilient Internet in unserved areas.
