Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dave Loebsack today praised the Communications and Technology Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee for advancing the Rural Wireless Access Act of 2017 (HR 1546). Earlier this year, Loebsack introduced this bipartisan legislation to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish standards for collecting wireless coverage data. This legislation would help ensure data maps are accurate so resources to improve wireless voice and mobile Internet services go to the areas that need it the most. Video of Loebsack discussing his legislation can be found here.
Currently, there are no standards that define how wireless coverage is determined, meaning that coverage maps can be incomplete or inaccurate. Without accurate coverage maps, resources needed to improve wireless access will not be directed to the areas that need the most help, including rural areas. This legislation was included in the bipartisan FCC Reauthorization bill that recently passed the Communications and Technology Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee. It now heads to the full committee for consideration.
“In order to fix the problem, we have to get the data right. And that is the problem,” said Loebsack. “It is clear to anyone who lives in Iowa, or has traveled across the state, that wireless coverage can be lacking. As I drive through the 24 counties in my district, I often have calls dropped or cannot get a strong signal. Unfortunately, the data that the FCC uses to improve coverage doesn’t tell the same story. We can’t invest in wireless access without accurately understanding the problem. I am proud that this legislation has received bipartisan support and look forward to moving it through the full committee.”
A significant digital divide remains between urban and rural America. Congressman Loebsack is a leader in working to close this divide by promoting broadband deployment throughout rural America. Loebsack serves on the Communications and Technology subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over telecommunications issues. He also serves as a co-chair of the Rural Broadband Caucus.
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