FEDERALhearing transcript

Congressional Hearing on Broadband Access and Affordability

Original title: BROADBAND EQUITY: ADDRESSING DISPARITIES IN ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY

January 1, 2023

broadband internet access telecommunications digital divide infrastructure

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing serves as a foundational step for potential federal legislation aimed at expanding infrastructure and lowering costs for households, which directly impacts the availability and price of internet services for residents nationwide.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Internet Service Providers

Policy changes discussed in this hearing could alter regulatory requirements and funding structures for companies providing broadband services.

Households without high-speed internet

Legislative outcomes from this hearing may influence the availability and cost of internet services in their communities.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2023.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House on Communications and Technology held a virtual hearing on May 6, 2021, to discuss strategies for addressing disparities in internet access and affordability across the United States. Lawmakers and expert witnesses examined policy options to expand high-speed internet availability and ensure it remains affordable for all residents.

Key Facts

The hearing took place on May 6, 2021, as a virtual session.
The session was titled 'Broadband Equity: Addressing Disparities in Access and Affordability'.
The hearing was conducted by the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Four expert witnesses provided testimony regarding broadband policy.
The hearing record includes submitted answers to questions from the witnesses.
The hearing is documented as Serial No. 117-29 of the 117th Congress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?

The hearing was held to discuss how to improve internet access and make it more affordable for people across the country.

Who testified at the hearing?

Witnesses included representatives from the National Urban League, the Phoenix Center for Advanced Legal and Economic Public Policy Studies, Next Century Cities, and Public Knowledge.

Why It Matters

News Coverage

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Focus on Equity

The hearing title explicitly shifts the focus from general infrastructure to 'equity' and 'disparities,' signaling a policy priority on underserved populations.

House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology

Connected Entities

personFrancella Ochillo“Witness, Executive Director of Next Century Cities”Map →

personGeorge S. Ford“Witness, Chief Economist at Phoenix Center”Map →

organizationHouse Subcommittee on Communications and Technology“The committee conducting the hearing”Map →

personJoi Olivia Chaney“Witness, Senior Vice President at National Urban League”Map →

personChris Lewis“Witness, CEO of Public Knowledge”Map →

personMike Doyle“Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy40
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz20
Current news / social attention level

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