BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT MEASURE DISAPPOINTING

 HARRISBURG, NOV. 19 – Following more than two years filled with hearings and meetings on the availability of affordable broadband technology throughout Pennsylvania, state Sen. Connie Williams, Democratic chair of the Senate Communications and Technology Committee, said she had to vote against the bill that would extend deployment.

 “I am very disappointed that the final measure did not include all of the protections that consumers and businesses (especially small businesses) need to really make this an effective tool for ensuring all of Pennsylvania is wired with affordable and reliable high speed broadband,” Williams said.

 “Access to high-speed broadband Internet access today is like having access to electricity and modern highways,” Williams said. “It is rapidly moving from the realm of luxury to a necessity, but unfortunately the entire state isn’t yet wired for the 21^st century. Whether you live on the 10^th floor of a high rise or 10 miles from your nearest neighbor, you should have the same ability to obtain affordable and available high speed broadband access.”

 Williams said that while the legislation (H.B. 30) that passed the Senate this week did have some good points – it would provide funding for deployment of high-speed broadband to all of Pennsylvania’s schools and also would provide financial assistance to help school districts pay to bring the technology to their students and staff – the bill lacked some important oversight.

 According to Williams, telecommunications has always been a regulated industry with a need for incentives for companies to invest where it is not good for their bottom line. Companies have been responsible for submitting their modernization plans to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission at regular intervals, but the PUC relies on the company to ensure it is meeting its goals.

 “This lack of strong oversight…this blind trust in taking only the company’s word that they are meeting their obligations, concerns me greatly,” Williams said. “This is why I offered language to amend the bill to strengthen the commission’s oversight and to ensure that the PUC does indeed audit Network Modernization Plans. While my language would have protected consumers and the industry, it was not included. Instead it was used as a bargaining chip during negotiations.”

 Williams said that she did not disagree with offering rate relief to the companies that have and continue to invest heavily in the Commonwealth’s infrastructure (language found in another Senator’s amendment to the bill), but she could not in good conscience vote for a bill that hurts entrepreneurial companies across Pennsylvania.

 “We are a free enterprise society,” Williams said. “Throughout the hearing process we heard from numerous industry and consumer advocates who clearly illustrated that roadblocks are still being placed in the way of competition. Clearly, this bill puts certain companies at a distinct advantage over other innovative Pennsylvania companies.”

 Senate members voted 27-20 in favor of the legislation, which now goes to the House for approval. House approval is expected.