Today was unique for a number of reasons. First, I didn’t throw on blue jeans and sneakers to start my day. Second, I drove my newly leased car (nothing like having to switch out an auto lease during this pandemic) more miles today than I have put on it in the 7 weeks I have owned it…and that’s still less than 20. I drove up to Capitol Hill bright and early and found nothing but quiet streets and a very empty Union Station.
After donning my mask and gloves (and deciding I must have tiny ears given how difficult it appears to be to keep a mask hooked over them), I headed over to the Senate for a morning of discussion with the Senate Commerce Committee on the status of broadband during this time of crisis that has so many Americans working and learning and socializing from home.
I’ve always loved my job but I honestly have never been so proud of the broadband providers we represent as I have been over the course of the past few months as I have watched them move quickly and “think outside the box” to get the job done for their customers. Clearly when the going gets tough, the tough get innovating! So it was a treat to share what NTCA members have been up to and that with thanks to their community commitment, their entrepreneurial spirit and the support of Congress, the FCC and RUS, NTCA’s community-based broadband providers were well-prepared to keep Americans connected during a crisis. That’s because NTCA members have led the charge in building future proof broadband networks for years, with over 60 percent of their rural customers having access to fiber connections and speeds in excess of 100Mbps.
I was able to share with this key congressional committee’s leadership that NTCA providers are doing all they can to keep everyone’s Internet lights on, but to do that, they need to keep their own lights on as well. As an increasing number of customers become unable to pay for service, NTCA members are concerned about their ability to repay loans, purchase critical supplies routers and fiber or backbone internet connectivity. And of course, they must pay their own employees – the front line team.
In the near term, we need both to make sure that those who are not yet connected get connected and also make sure that those who are connected today stay connected. It was a great way to remind Senators how important it will be to pass The Keeping Critical Connections Act. This bipartisan, bicameral bill – with 30 Senators including 9 on the Commerce Committee supporting, would create a temporary emergency fund to keep Americans connected during the pandemic.
In the longer-term, Congress should adopt a “Forever Connected” perspective when it comes to promoting broadband. No American should get second-class broadband service, or worse yet, no service at all.
I must say that there was something to be said for a hearing where Senators could beam into remotely (using broadband of course!) because a typical hearing has Senators jumping in and out of the room to an array of other meetings and speeches and events they are obligated to….not today. The quiet Senate allowed for members to stay engaged and while I didn’t do a head count, during the course of the 2.5 hour hearing, I am certain that nearly every Senator asked questions…and listened to the answers given. While the urge was great to say “we’ve been telling you for years how critical this connectivity is for all Americans”, I was simply grateful that they were not only listening now but in action mode to find ways to support continued deployment and access for students and those financially impacted. We even discussed USF contributions reform in a thoughtful dialogue on the need to support this critical program.
On a personal note? Having to be escorted into through the one open door in the Senate office building and walking into a huge hearing room that allowed Senators, staffs and witnesses to maintain social distancing, seeing the large tubs of hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes on the table, seeing no press or other public attendees allowed in this cavernous room and keeping my mask on before and after the hearing was a little jarring and surreal…but there was no better time to tell the story of NTCA members, the Smart Rural Communities they are helping to build and what support they need to write the next chapter.