Senator Cantwell Questions Nominee on Broadband Affordability and Spectrum Allocation

Broadband Affordability for Low-Income Americans

• 💡 Senator Cantwell emphasizes the need to ensure broadband is affordable for all Americans, particularly those with incomes below $40,000.
• 🎯 She believes the focus should have been on the affordability issue, rather than solely on deployment through programs like BEAD.
• ⚠️ The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ending is seen as a setback, and the nominee agrees with the goal of affordable broadband.

BEAD Program and State Involvement

• 🗺️ The shift from FCC to states for broadband deployment via the BEAD program has caused delays.
• 🧩 Cantwell argues that involving states makes the process complex, and a more direct focus on affordability was needed.
• 🛰️ An example of Starlink deployment in tribal areas highlights issues with uncalculated backhaul needs, underscoring the need for smart, technical involvement.

Technical Expertise at NTIA

• 🧠 The nominee acknowledges the need for a mix of expertise at NTIA to address challenges in spectrum and broadband connectivity.
• 🤝 She looks forward to working with NTIA's career staff and technical experts to build technical capacity.
• ⚙️ The importance of technical horsepower at NTIA is crucial for successful policy development, especially as the committee expects NTIA to play a larger role.

Spectrum Allocation and National Security

• ⚠️ A critical issue discussed is the jamming of aircraft collision avoidance systems due to spectrum use by the Secret Service and Navy, highlighting a national security and public safety risk.
• 🔬 NTIA must work with other federal agencies to resolve technical disagreements and protect national security and public safety.
• 📊 The need for completed studies on low gigahertz, 3 gigahertz, and 7/8 gigahertz bands before reallocating spectrum is stressed, particularly to protect Department of Defense (DOD) interests.
• ✅ The nominee agrees that feasibility studies and inter-agency coordination are essential for any spectrum reallocation, with national security being paramount.

BEAD Funding Commitments

• 💰 Senator Cantwell seeks commitment to preserving BEAD funding allocations already made to states, including her home state of Washington.
• ⚖️ The nominee states she will abide by the law and review allocations if confirmed, but cannot commit to specific outcomes before confirmation.