Wyden Plans To Reintroduce Community Broadband Act

Last week, Senator Ron Wyden announced he will reintroduce the Community Broadband Act to improve internet access in underserved communities. Oregon’s senior senator says the proposal is even more important during the coronavirus pandemic as millions of students and families find themselves struggling to learn and work remotely.

The bill would ban any state, local, or tribal statute or regulation prohibiting cities from providing high-speed internet. Currently, more than two dozen states restrict local communities from building their own broadband networks.

“Access to broadband is a must for communities to thrive in Oregon and nationwide. Oregon communities like Maupin and The Dalles have proven that municipal broadband can be a game changer in places without top-tier internet access,” Wyden said.

“The COVID-19 public health crisis spotlights that need for high-speed Internet access more than ever for homes now filled with adults working remotely and students tapping into the web for classroom assignments,” he said. “This legislation would provide help to those millions of Americans by knocking down obstacles to municipal broadband that can help now and in the future.”

In addition to Wyden, other sponsors of the bill include senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Edward Markey (D-MA), Angus King (I-ME), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).

The bill is endorsed by the following organizations: the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Public Knowledge, Free Press Action, the Center for Democracy and Technology, the Institute for Local Self Reliance, New America’s Open Technology Institute, Consumer Reports, the Telecommunications Industry Association, the Southern California Southern Tribal Chairmen’s Association, Ebay, and Google.

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