Investing in America's Broadband Infrastructure: Exploring Ways to Reduce Barriers to Deployment

Abstract

Written testimony before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee identifies eight policy levers regulators can employ to speed the deployment of next-generation wired and wireless broadband networks, particularly in underserved rural and remote areas of the U.S. These include focusing direct public investments, adopting more efficient zoning, permitting and fee structures for installing conduit and attaching equipment to government property, and acknowledging and addressing non-financial causes of what remains of the digital divide.

Keywords: FCC, broadband, enterprise, 5G, fiber, competition, digital divide, rural, subsidy, zoning, fixed wireless, pole attachments

JEL Classification: D40, K23, L14, L22, L43, L51, L86, L96, O33