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Policy BriefUrge your Members of Congress to support the Community Broadband Act, which is a bill that prohibits states from blocking the provision of broadband by public providers, public-private partnership providers, or cooperatively organized providers. The bill would furthermore require that public providers and state or local entities participating in a partnership administer applicable ordinances and rules without discrimination against competing private providers.Support Community Broadband Act
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Document
Support Community Broadband Act
ACTION NEEDED:
Urge your Members of Congress to support the Community Broadband Act, which is a bill that prohibits states from blocking the provision of broadband by public providers, public-private partnership providers, or cooperatively organized providers. The bill would furthermore require that public providers and state or local entities participating in a partnership administer applicable ordinances and rules without discrimination against competing private providers.
BACKGROUND:
The county role in the deployment of broadband infrastructure and services is extensive, and it includes central roles as public providers and/or public-private partners in broadband service projects. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the direct role and contributions that county governments must play to ensure all of our unconnected and underserved residents receive high-speed internet services. Despite this highlighted need, there are currently barriers in 17 states that restrict the ability of local governments to become directly involved in the deployment of broadband services or partnering on broadband services provisioning with private partners.
The Community Broadband Act, previously introduced in the 117th Congress as H.R. 1631, would override state-level prohibitions by allowing counties and other public providers in any state to provide broadband services without discrimination. The bill would also ensure that public providers do not use their dual roles as policymakers and regulators to enact prohibitions or discrimination against existing or emerging private providers of broadband services.
KEY TALKING POINTS:
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The Community Broadband Act would ensure that every American has the opportunity to receive high-speed internet services through the empowerment of the public provisioning of broadband services in areas where a private market does not exist or is exceedingly high-cost and low-return for private providers.
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The Community Broadband Act would promote competition, incentivize modern services to underserved communities and prohibit state preemption of municipal investments and partnerships, including with the private sector, to enable community broadband networks to operate.
Urge your Members of Congress to support the Community Broadband Act, which is a bill that prohibits states from blocking the provision of broadband by public providers, public-private partnership providers, or cooperatively organized providers. The bill would furthermore require that public providers and state or local entities participating in a partnership administer applicable ordinances and rules without discrimination against competing private providers.2023-02-01Policy Brief2023-02-01 -
ACTION NEEDED:
Urge your Members of Congress to support the Community Broadband Act, which is a bill that prohibits states from blocking the provision of broadband by public providers, public-private partnership providers, or cooperatively organized providers. The bill would furthermore require that public providers and state or local entities participating in a partnership administer applicable ordinances and rules without discrimination against competing private providers.
BACKGROUND:
The county role in the deployment of broadband infrastructure and services is extensive, and it includes central roles as public providers and/or public-private partners in broadband service projects. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the direct role and contributions that county governments must play to ensure all of our unconnected and underserved residents receive high-speed internet services. Despite this highlighted need, there are currently barriers in 17 states that restrict the ability of local governments to become directly involved in the deployment of broadband services or partnering on broadband services provisioning with private partners.
The Community Broadband Act, previously introduced in the 117th Congress as H.R. 1631, would override state-level prohibitions by allowing counties and other public providers in any state to provide broadband services without discrimination. The bill would also ensure that public providers do not use their dual roles as policymakers and regulators to enact prohibitions or discrimination against existing or emerging private providers of broadband services.
KEY TALKING POINTS:
-
The Community Broadband Act would ensure that every American has the opportunity to receive high-speed internet services through the empowerment of the public provisioning of broadband services in areas where a private market does not exist or is exceedingly high-cost and low-return for private providers.
-
The Community Broadband Act would promote competition, incentivize modern services to underserved communities and prohibit state preemption of municipal investments and partnerships, including with the private sector, to enable community broadband networks to operate.

About Seamus Dowdall (Full Bio)
Associate Legislative Director – Telecommunications & Technology
Seamus is the associate legislative director for telecommunications & technology on NACo's government affairs team.More from Seamus Dowdall
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Blog
USDA announces open funding round for the Community Connect Program
On March 20, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced new funding available under the Community Connect Program. -
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Blog
FCC announces funding opportunity for ACP community outreach programs
On November 21, the Federal Communications Commission announced the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program and the Your Home, Your Internet Program. -
Blog
FCC releases report on preventing digital discrimination
On November 7, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Communications Equity and Diversity Council (CEDC) released a list of recommendations and best practices that local governments can follow to prevent digital discrimination and promote digital equity. -
Blog
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Releases New Broadband Map on Friday, November 18
On November 18, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the first draft of its new National Broadband Map, a comprehensive, location-by-location view of high-speed Internet availability across the nation.
Contact
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Associate Legislative Director – Telecommunications & Technology(202) 942-4212
Related News
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BlogUSDA announces open funding round for the Community Connect ProgramMar. 23, 2023
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BlogFCC announces funding opportunity for ACP community outreach programsDec. 6, 2022
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BlogFCC releases report on preventing digital discriminationNov. 22, 2022
Related Resources
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VideoCIO Forum: RISE to the FutureFeb. 10, 2023
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Policy BriefSupport the Extension of the Emergency Connectivity FundFeb. 1, 2023
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DocumentHelp ensure your county receives the broadband support it needsOct. 13, 2022
Upcoming Events
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24Mar2023Webinar
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Breaking Down USDOT’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Discretionary Grant for Counties
Mar. 24, 2023 , 11:00 am – 12:00 pm -
29Mar2023Webinar
County Strategies to Provide Supportive Housing for Familiar Faces
Mar. 29, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
5Apr2023Webinar
County Leaders Championing Justice Efforts in Local Communities
Apr. 5, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
More From
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Outreach Toolkit for Counties: the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program
Through the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program, counties have a central role in providing all residents with an equal chance to connect to high-speed internet in their homes.
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