Pfluger Introduces Act to Improve Broadband Access to 'Unserved Communities'

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives August Pfluger (TX-11) and Debbie Dingell (MI-6) introduced the PROTOCOL Act, which improves the mapping process for broadband funding and enhances interagency coordination when awarding broadband funding grants.

There are currently over 130 federal broadband programs across 15 different agencies with little coordination on the billions of dollars being spent. This lack of coordination has led to waste, fraud, and abuse in these programs and risks leaving unserved communities without access to basic broadband services, information from Pfluger's office stated. 

“As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I am working to ensure proper oversight over the billions of dollars being spent to close the digital divide across America,” Rep. August Pfluger stated. “With over 130 broadband programs being funded across fifteen agencies in the federal government, the PROTOCOL Act is necessary to ensure that broadband infrastructure awards are reaching communities who desperately need access. The 11th District of Texas is one of the most underserved areas in Texas when it comes to broadband access—and this legislation aims to fix that. I am honored to lead this bipartisan legislation with Representative Debbie Dingell as we work to close the digital divide for all Americans.”

“Expanding strong broadband internet access is critical to bringing our infrastructure into the 21st century, and we must continue working to ensure connectivity is available to our communities who need it the most,” Rep. Debbie Dingell stated. “The PROTOCOL Act will ensure people across the country, regardless of zip code, have access to the opportunity broadband provides by improving the mapping process for broadband funding and bettering coordination when funding is awarded.”

Specifically, this legislation would:

• Improve and align the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Broadband Deployment Locations Map with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Infrastructure Funding Database.
• Request non-mandatory reports on state-based programs for inclusion in the NTIA database and FCC map.
• Require other federal agencies to use the new FCC map when awarding broadband infrastructure funding.