s2555

But closed conversation.

The latest version of a U.S. senate bill aimed at boosting broadband availability cuts out language from a previous version that would have encouraged, but not required, federal agencies to include conduit in highway projects. Senate bill 2555, also known as the Mobile Now act, would clear more wireless spectrum for broadband purposes and streamline access to federal property in order to install both wireline and wireless facilities.

The bill was approved, with bipartisan support, by the senate commerce, science and transportation committee and is now on track for a full senate vote.… More

The “Mobile Now” bill that was introduced in the U.S. senate is mostly about freeing up more government-reserved spectrum for broadband purposes, but it also includes an endorsement, if not a full-on commitment, to a dig once policy. It expresses a desire for federal transportation officials to include conduit in highway projects…

It is the sense of Congress that Federal agencies should endeavor to create policy that–

1. evaluates and provides for the inclusion of broadband conduit installation in federally funded highway construction projects;
2. provides for such inclusion without negatively impacting the safety, operations, and maintenance of the highway facility, its users, or others;
3. promotes investment and competition by ensuring that communications providers may access such conduit on a nondiscriminatory basis; and
4. limits any burden on State departments of transportation incurred by the inclusion of broadband conduit in such projects.