Cooperate and coordinate on infrastructure to close digital divide

OPINION:

In March of 2020, broadband internet reached my home in rural Michigan for the first time ever. When schools and businesses were forced to go online, we were able to continue working, stay connected to family, and reach our doctors when needed. My family was lucky, but for tens of millions across the country, connection is still not a reality.

The pandemic is over, but the massive digital divide that it exposed persists. Every week, I hear from constituents who have no option for high-speed internet. Just a few miles down the road, my neighbors do not have a reliable connection. The consequences of this are significant, and these families, farmers, and businesses in rural America are being left behind in the digital age.

Throughout the last three years, nearly $100 billion has been allocated for broadband through several different programs, including $65 billion for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

Republicans in Congress know money is not a fix-all. We need to address the remaining obstacles to deploying broadband infrastructure and get all Americans connected.

First, our permitting processes need to be updated and streamlined. Unpredictable timelines for permit approvals and exorbitant fees for applications have made it slower, more expensive, and onerous to deploy broadband infrastructure. To address this, my House Energy and Commerce Committee colleagues and I have reintroduced our comprehensive permitting package. This slate of bills will cut through unnecessary red tape, enforce needed shot clocks on agency reviews, and harmonize application processes and fees.

Hurdles exist at the federal, state, and local level and ongoing disputes between area incumbents and broadband providers further exacerbates the problem. As a part of any broadband infrastructure update, we must improve coordination and cooperation between broadband providers, government agencies, and other stakeholders, such as utilities, transportation, and public safety. Coordination should also come with transparency and accountability, such as publishing data on the status and outcomes of permits.

It is imperative that we also grow our telecommunications workforce. The money from NTIA has not even been distributed and the industry is already scrambling to keep up with demand. Coupled with ongoing supply chain shortages, the need for fiber splicers, tower climbers, technicians, and more will significantly delay infrastructure deployment. Last Congress, my legislation, the Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act, was signed into law. It has helped identify shortfalls in the industry, and spurred the Government Accountability Office to issue a report that found we need at least 34,000 additional workers this year to support the broadband expansion programs. Communities need to use existing funds to invest in workforce development, but the private sector and our community colleges should also play a role in recruiting and training skilled workers.

We cannot hamstring ourselves with a one-size-fits-all approach to connection. Deploying fiber to every single home is unrealistic and expensive. Federal, state, and local officials should commit to tech neutrality if they truly want to close the digital divide. Embracing an all-of-the-above approach to broadband fiber, cable, wireless, and satellite will speed deployment and offer good connection now. Fiber’s speed and forward-looking status offer many benefits, but it should not be treated as the only solution, especially if it means parts of rural Americans have to wait years more for a reliable connection.

The digital divide between urban and rural America is unacceptable, and we must do everything in our power to close that gap. As co-chair of the Rural Broadband Caucus, I know this is not just an issue of convenience; it is a matter of economic opportunity, healthcare access, and education. To that end, officials must prioritize funding for areas that are truly unserved. We cannot simply throw money at the problem and hope that it goes away. We need to make sure that the funds are being used in the most effective manner possible, and that means targeting areas that are in the most need.

These recommendations are not a panacea for all the challenges of broadband infrastructure deployment, but they are necessary steps towards a more accessible and affordable broadband ecosystem. It requires a collaborative and comprehensive approach from all stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators, providers, and consumers. We must recognize that broadband infrastructure is not just a technical matter but a social and economic one that affects our daily lives and our future prosperity. We must act urgently and decisively to finally get all Americans connected.

• U.S. Representative Tim Walberg, Michigan Republican, serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Education and the Workforce Committee. He is co-chair of the Rural Broadband Caucus and vice chair of the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee. The Dean of the Michigan House delegation, he represents the state’s Fifth Congressional District. He served as a pastor and in the Michigan State House prior to joining Congress.