A hearing was held wednesday on the oversight of the fcc. The hearing focused on a range of topics including Broadband Access during coronavirus, expanding broadband to rural areas, telehealth, and more. This is three hours and 25 minutes. Welcome to todays hearing on the federal communication committee. I thank our witnesses for appearing. Today we will hear from the fcc chairman, commissioner michael o riley, and jeffrey starks. The fcc is the nations primary regulator of interstate and international networks. They ensure that all people in the United States have access to rapid, efficient, and nationwide Communication Services at reason prices. Never has their job been more important. They have put a spot right on the nations Nations Communications networks. There has been a dramatic usage and we are fairing better than other countries in meeting this increased demand. This is to be applauded, but there is still more work to be done, of course. Today there are far too Many Americans that remain unserved and who lack Affordable Access to any broad band connection whatever. In the effort to secure the next generations technologies. Over 700 providers have not shut off businesses for those that are unable to pay, but they cannot sustain that indefinitely. We need to have thoughtful ways to extend the pledge. I welcome the work on the newly creating covid19 Telehealth Program. It is designed to provide access to critical life saving Telehealth Services for those who lack access to quality care in the Global Health crisis. Todays hearing is an opportunity to discuss what more can be done to expand brondband access and Digital Opportunity for all americans. The work begins with the implementation of the broadband data map. Accurate maps are essential for targeting universal Service Funds and other resources to underserved areas and communities in need. To ensure the success of new programs like the 5g fund it is important they have accurate broadband maps with information about where it is available and where it is not and at what speeds. I hope they will outline what is available in the law. I appreciate commissioner o rileys commitment last week that he would not support moving forward with the 5g fund until they acquire the broad band data act. Congress needs to explore the feez ability of more resources for broadband deployment for areas that are not economical to serve or to families that experienced Economic Hardship as a result of the pandemic. I look forward to discussing the accelerating Broadband Connectivity act that i have awe th authors that would not undermine or delay the auction. I hope commissioners will also discussion ways to provide connectivity relief to schools, minority families, and those experiencing Economic Hardship because of the coronavirus. Another important part of making broadband universally available is having regulatory a Regulatory Framework that fosters investment and promotes broad band deployment. Im sure the commissioners want to discussion the 5g upgrade order which includes the installation of equipment and streamlining processes that can stall deployment in too many communities across the country. I appreciate commissioner carrs leadership on the a 5g upgrade order. For those who are in health care and personal activities, it is vital that we ensure the security of our health chains. We should include network and supply Chain Security including full funding for the fcc newly authorized rip and replace program. I hope commissioners will discuss funding needs and other plans to increase Network Security and reliability. Finally, section 230 of the Communications Decency act is intended to preserve a vibrant and competitive online marketplace for the benefit of all americans. Section 230 protects Interactive Computer Services such as social media platforms for being held liable for the content posted by their users. Section 230 also specifically allows interactive users to restrict access to or the availability of content that it considers to be obscene, lewd, filthy, violent, harassing or n objectionable. Some Online Platforms are disproportionately sensoring conservative voices or imposing an unfair bias through their policies and terms of service. Last week the federalist, an online magazine was notified they would be removed from googles advertising platform about a complaint from the content section. The comments on the sight were derogatory and impermissible. However policing offensive concept is one thing. Threatening the demon tization f a site is another thing. If there is to be a debate over the future of section 230 it is clear that each side as a responsibility to make sure the internet is a true diversity. It will evaluate the merits of section 230 and if modifications are necessary to promote more tra transparency and accountability. Clearly there is much to discussion toddiscuss today. I thank my friend and college for her cooperation at Ranking Member and i will turn to her for this. The full fcc comes to us at what i think is a pivotal moment. If we were still in any doubt that covid would make its impact clear to us, it is clear today. It is really an essential service and millions of americans remain on the other side of the Digital Divide. The statistics are well known but no less damming. 18 million americans do not have broadband. 13 million children do not have the ability to learn remotely and as we have uncertainty it is imperative that we deal with this issue. 16 of families with children have no access to broadband and 31 of households lack access to high spaed broadband. So we must expand high quality affordable broadband in unserved communities to american whos are being isolated can effectively endure during this pandemic and work remotely if is so important they increase their ability to help deliver medicine at this critical time. We have a real opportunity here to close the Digital Divide. It will require significant investment. I know our colleagues have promised more than 100 billion. We have to make sure that connectivity is an issue that we address. We need to pro moe literal si and adoption targeting these marginalized communities. I wrote on march 5th and asked for consideration of the existing policies to see if rule waivers could be used. Specifically i asked what take home emergency actions to fa sit date at home activity. So im not interested in just applying aggressive laws to industry. Im interested in making sure that millions of children caught in the gap of not being able to do their homework dont fall further behind. And yet nothing has happened. Im concerned about the spectrum as well. I know were in a high pro file dispute, but they are questioning national safety. It would be tempting to take it as a sign of internal chaos. It looks like the agency has narrowed interest. Today the fcc dismisses defaults to the belief that the highest and best use of spectrum is ter re restrial broadband. They would cause harm to the gps spectrum of critical to safety operations. Despite a fundamental areas. The fcc and i hope that we will continue to discussion this issue. I believe that the fcc should not be the place to just move forward but to have the discussion. It is important that these issues move forward. And the many interests, the s m spectrum because this issue of spectrum is not going to go away if will be more in demand. If youre the Default Agency you can see it has not gone away if just moved over to the Armed Services committee. I ask you to think about how well do a Better Process given the need for spectrum in the future. I know there is more that we want to discuss today. Ly is i have to go to the floor but i will return at some point for some questions. I thank the commissioners for being here in person. Thank you, senator. Were recognizing this order today. Were starting with the chair and recognizing commissioners in terms of seniority. So we will begin with the honorable ajit pi, chair of the fcc, and we will receive each set of written testimony in fool and ask you to summarize in five minutes. Thank you, chairman. I appreciate you inviting know testify and update you on the federal communications commission. Internet connectivity is more important than ever. Americans rely on broadband to telework, learn, talk to doctors, and stay in touch with loved ones. That is why were using every resource to deal with this unprecedented emergency. A commitment to, among other things, not terminate service to residential or Small Business consumers because of their inability to pay their bills due to disruptions. More than 780 providers took the pledge including all of our largest if has been critical for millions of american consumers. These companies especially small ones cannot continue to provide Service Without being paid for an indefinite period of time. As the pledge ends i have called on providers not to disconnection consumers in july, but to instead adopt extended payment plans to make sure they have a chance to catch up. This transition period will give congress the chance next month to provide funding to help ensure that Many Americans have continued access to broadband and tellphone services. I would welcome the opportunity to work with the committee on this or other related legislati legislativetivities. I want to thank you for establishing the program for the cares act. The fcc has worked quickly for this to review the submissions that we have received. Im proud that as of this morning with have approved 444 applications for a this program is enabling Health Care Providers to treat people remotely. And during this nation gnat emergency our networks have been tested like never before and im pleased to say they have done very well. Average fixed speeds in our country are higher than they were before the pandemic hit we cant rest on our laurels and thats why the fcc is working to expedite the deployment. Were also on track to kmengs a public auction . December. Because they have committed to interested relocation, this spectrum will become available two to five years earlier than would have been the case. Just yesterday we won a mayor court victory. I would especially like to thank chairman thun for this leadership. It enables tribes to get first dibs before we hold in auction next year. We have also unanimously opened up the entire sixth gighertz ban and we almost finished the van tigs. Because it has gone well, Wireless Services are now being provided throughout america. Finally i would like to mention a personal and professional priority that is literally a matter of life and death, suicide prevention. Three weeks from today the fcc will vote on final rules to have a nationwide three digit number for the National Suicide prevention hotline making it easier for those in trouble to get help. We can save lives and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. At a time when suicide rates are on the rise especially for vulnerable populations like veterans, lbgtq youth and africanamerican teens. 988 could make all of the difference. I would like to thank senator godwin and thun. I look forward to answering your questions today. Precisely five minutes, thank you very much. Welcome. Members of the committee, it is good to see you today from a safe distance. These are historic days, a Public Health emergency has strained our hospitals and crashed our economy. Protests have filled our streets in our largest streets and smallest towns. We need connections now that strengthen our mutual bonds. Networks that connect more people in more places lift us all. Let me start by telling you about a conversation that i had a couple weeks ago. I spoke to a middle School Teacher from a small town in virginia. But it could have happened anywhere in rural or ur bran merge. This teacher was out and about. That student had not been going to online classes in the last week. Of course the mother knew. Right after she exchanged the usual please pleasantries she said the internet ran out. They were meters out life online. Stuck allocating bits of Smart Phone Services to health care and emergencies. That is haunting but not surprising. This has exposed a hard truth of the Digital Divide is very real and very big. You see it how nationwide parking lot wifi is a thing. People are driving to parking lots, sitting in their cars and trying to maintain a semblance of normal modern life. Question do better. First we need a clear plan for broadbrand for all. It was just a few weeks ago we got the report. Only 18 million americans do not have access to broadband. But that is not credible. That is based on the methodology you called for us to use. But the fcc is about to hand out billions in fixed broadband sport wi support on maps that we know are wrong. We cant afford to delay improved data any further because without it we will never be sure that were targeting support services to the right places. We also cant limit our foe douse just deployment. We need to address barriers to adopt. It is not just a problem in rural america. By some estimate theres are three to four times as many households without Internet Access. Second we need a clear plan to fix the homework gap. In the fall no student will be without the Internet Access they need to go to class online. The fcc could do this with a program right now, but if you choose to address it through legislation i hope we can move fast so no child is left offline. Third we need a clear plan to keep all americans connected. The fcc at the charmts direction have assured they will not cut off carriers. But that comes to an end and we should all worry about what is on the other side. We need to find a way took tend this commitment. We need to rethink the program from top to bottom. Fourth we need a clear plan for a secure future. If we want to be a leader we need a whole of government approach to 5g service. We dont have one. It is nearly a year over due and authorities are fighting about 5g spectrum bans. We also have a need to address the security of the growing internet of things. We need a clear plan to sustain local media and stand up for the first amendment. Local news is vital but the economics that under lie the industry is changing. I think we need to study our rules and identify how to better support local media and diversity. One thing that we should not do is compromise our values. Nowhere is this clearer than in the checkti tiexecutive order. I know that social media can be frustrating, but an executive order that turns the fcc into the president s Speech Police cannot be the answer. Finally we need a clear plan to learn from this crisis so we can take stock in changes in network demand. Thank you. I look forward to answering any questions you might have. Thank you very, very much, commissioner. Commission eer o riley, welcome back. I prefer not to, but if you want to ill be here. Thank you for the opportunity to be here to discuss important matters before the federal communications commission. I thought it would be best to focus my comments on a few topics. At the forefront is bringing broad band access to areas as expediti expeditiou expeditiously as possible. They are sberting their broadband deployment operations through funding provided by congress. I thank you for introducing the connectivity bill and i dmoit continuing to work with the committee and the staff on this initiative. I also commit to working with members of congress. I have long been critical of the fcc data for purposes of distributing funding and the mapping statue being signed into law earlier this year. I agree that we must have more accurate coverage maps before moving forward e. Switching gears one of the primary obligation sgs to allocate and license spectrum for the purposes to accommodate the demand for existing licenses must relocate, shrink their footprints. Sometimes there is opportunities to voluntarily alter their current use the vast majority assesses current usage and making changes to the molding ifs it is not being used. It would be correct to say that in 20 plus years little progress has been made in deploying dsrc technology. But a finer point on the matter, the university zero automobile manufacturers are deploying dsrc and no one has stated they have any plans to use it at all in the u. S. In the future. All of the other purposes envisions but one. On top of this a new Technology Based on lte wireless standard has gained prom nant and every companies are actively considering it for active safety enhancements. They are trying to balance this with the demand for spectrum. They have sought to share a portion for dedicated automobile safety purposes. Consider theyre being connected via wireless wisps. And millions of americans can enjoy connectivity from expanded wifi in terms of frees spectrum for future offerings. The most ideal ban is the 3. 1 to the 3. 55 gigahertz band. I respectfully argue that upwards of 200 megahertz needs to be cleared for the remainder of shared use. They must Work Together to take every action to replenish our future spectrum pipeline that lies naerd the md. We should look for licensed or unlicensed use. Separately i hope the committee look closely at proposals including my written testimony including the work of an ambassador and modify the commissions marketing and input rules for device innovation. I look forward the questions that anyone may have. Thank you, commissioner carr. Distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify. Its a privilege to apply before you with my leagues. The country has been seized by a pan determine take has seriously altered americans lyes. Our daily routines, driving to work, and catching up with friends were up ended. Staying home prompted us to recreate these routines online in an instant. That sudden, massive transition made our Internet Connections more reliable than ever. It was incumbent on providers to ensure continuous quality service. Im proud of our effort to meet the moment. First the private sector and regulators joined together to make sure that pandemic related stress in our own support rules did not cut off service when americans needed it most. It opened up free wifi hot spots and kept families online through job disruptions. We cleared the way so kids could learn from home and provided flexion ability for thois vital to the hard of hearing. With a pandemic internet traffic spiked about 25 on fixed networks and 25 on mobile ones. Americas networks faired exceptionally well. Their networks trained to maintain quality and speed. In europe officials asked netflix to reduce their video quality. But they showed no degradation in speed. In fact they saw speed increases. China saw up to a 40 reduction in speeds joining many other countries that speerntsed significant declines. Americas networks performed because of the massive investment in our internet infrastructure. Americas wireless providers invested 70 per sub skrieper. More miles of high speed wire than ever before. Those investments increased speeds and pulled families across the Digital Divide. The very First Special service hear in the u. S. And today they are live in 381 communities across the 50 states making us home to the leading 5g platform. The Networks Performance under stress, the 5g build out, all of this did not happen by chance. They are fostered by an approach toer from. I had led our efforts. We built on common sense reforms adopted by states. And thousands of towers to 5g. While they are being upgrated to 5 g there is another upgrade to broadcast towers. It allows broadcasters to allow 25 megabit services. So i was pleased that the fcc voted to promote the development of these services. Americans care about these investments because of the Life Changing Services delivered over those networks, few services could be more life changing than telehealth. I first learned about a new trend towards connected care. Back then we had no idea how important providing care as a distance would be. The fcc was able to stand up a covid19 Telehealth Program in record time finally after discussing our work to accelerate infrastructure investment, i would be remiss if i do not update you on those efforts. We secured gear. Were looking at removing equipment that made its way into our networks, and were considering whether or not to evoke the ability of certain carriers to use our networks. One step i romd is the twist transition to oram. It will increase our National Security goals and increase the costs of building out networks. I want to thank you again, sharm, Ranking Member cantwell, and distinguished members for this hearing, i look forward to your questions. Thank you very much and now we reck recognize commissioner starks. Unemployment has hit its highest level. They have missed months of in classroom education. I look forward to discussing that with you. Today however i also want to shed like on an additional perspective by speaks an an fcc commissioner, an africanamerican father of two Young Children who deeply cares about my country and my community. The civil protests have sparked a movement sha that have centered on the black experience in america. Each of us has our own unique narrative about being black in america. There is a common story, a shared experience, a collective thread and in the last few weeks a tighter bond has formed through shared emotions, fare, frustrate, and hope. Last week alongside civil rights leaders i published an oped on broadband in america with a particular focus on communities of color. Our historic failure has had a devastating impact on communities of clornt that will magnify expo nen usually black americans are significantly less likely to have a home broad band connection. The pandemic has changed these fundamentals. Shelter in place orders and closings have restricted and foreclosed completely in many instances many of the Public Places and spaces provided and classrooms and workplaces have moved online. We have morphed into a monstrous covid19 divide. We must focus on affordability as an access issue. It is simply too expensive and with unemployment at great er levels. There are a number of legislative proposals currently available for broad band connections and devices for low income families. I cannot overstate that these are essential to connecting and empowering all americans for my part within the commissions authority i have long advocated that we provide rural providers that they offer an affordable option. The Lifeline Program remains under used and they do not meet the needs of low income consumers. The fcc must coordinate agencies that determine eligibility for Lifeline Programs to ensure low income communities learn of its benefits. Americans cannot afford for this government to work in silos. Im thankful for those that signed the agreement, and im thankful for senator klobuchars lib for interagency coordination to increase lifeline enrollment. We should also increase other lifelines to meet connectivity needs of our low income subscribe subscribers. We also need to focus on our youngest learners. Millions remain disconnected even though they spend this spring in home classrooms, e rate must meet the demands of the moment and to respond to the on going need we should incourage schools to offer broadband and hot spots for their students. This issue is not going away. Im making my own investments in these issues. Earlier this month i announced my Digital Opportunity. I plan to recognize organizations, companies, and individuals that make it possible. The predicting impacts of covid make it clear that the American People can no longer wait for connectivity. I want to make sure that all communities have access to affordable and reliable broadband. If but do and we Work Together i know we will create a better country for all americans. Thank you for inviting me here today, i look forward to your questions. Well thank you to all of you for your excellent testimony. We need to do everything that we can for Distance Learning and we need to get the economy and schools open. Nothing can take the place of that that ought to be one of the major priorities of this administration to get our elementary and secondary institutions open so parents can go back to work and kids can school where educators are taught and trained to do the best job of teaching and we need to get our colleges and universities open. So thank you for your effort there and the main solution is a broader solution. We have a lot to discuss. Commissioner is concerned that were not going to get the broadband data act information in time. For two important events. The rural digital. The rural dimmal Opportunity Fund and the 5g fund. I think you said recently that we dont get that in months rather than years, which is an optimistic and welcome statement on your part. So im going to let you discuss this, but respond to her concerns and only ardof, the first step of the application begins in a week or two in july, and then it will be here before we know it. What do you say to her point that were going to do that blind without new information on the data act. I would say that concern is misplaced. Rural one focuses on unserved areas. Areas that we know after the challenges we received do not have any service according to the map that you look at. So to me, at least, for those millions of americans on the wrong side of the Digital Divide, it is not adequate for me to say they should be denied opportunity for months or years while we figure out the mapping. That is at stake here. Please hold that point here. It makes sense to me, we know that these areas are unserved. Were making it a choice between speed and accuracy. I think the government needs to do both. The biggest broad band providers came together and assesses the data. 38 of the homes and business that data says have Service Today do not. That is an error rate of two in five. And were going to hand out billions of dollars based on that data. But with regard to the rdof areas we know theyre under served. But the bulk of americans without Service Today are areas on the outskirts of suburbs and our maps say those people have service when they do not. And the problem is are they subject to the rdof. One week before this election were poised to give out 16 billion based on maps that we know are wrong. It is funds for the next ten years if i dont think we can give out that much money without making an effort to fix the maps that are wrong. I respect that were trying to move fast, but i dont think 80 of the funds for the next ten years when we know the data is wrong is the right number. I think we have to reserve far more of the funds for a time when our maps are correct and accurate. If we dont we will not have funds to get to every american and we will leave people behind. We have groups of citizens contacting us saying we need to speed this up and make it even earlier, arent you proposing. And people are telling me when i look at the fcc map is says i have service and i dont so i cant get service in my community, home, and business. It is the kind of data that i was hoping that you would answer the question rather than making a speech. Are these areas that are subject to the rdof among those areas youre talking about. I think theyre the areas that we know more about today. I agree that we should move ahead and go fast, buttal 0 of our funds without fixes our data is a make take. We should find a way to be fast and accurate. Okay, how do we get the broadband data act complied with more quickly. They need funding otherwise it is an unfunded mandate. We need money before maps. That was a concession that without it those americans, americans this i have met in places like West Virginia and the gulf of mississippi, they will have to wait, potentially for years, unless and until Congress Gives us funding and we stand up to determine what areas could be under served. It seems that this is an urgent need. Thank you very much, do you two have dinner together . From a socially distance keeping it lively for you. I think youre both terrific and very articulate. Who is next . Senator klobuchar. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you to all of you. Thank you for your heartfelt words about what this pandemic has meant. Particularly, thank you to you, commissioner starks, to so many families across this nation. So senator kramer and i have a bill to create a major fund at the fcc to help providers, some of the small internet providers, the ones stepping in right now, to help so many families. So students and low income families can connect to work, school, and communities. We now have 32 cosponsors including nine on this community. Chairman, you sent a letter to leaders requesting legislation to make sure that providers that sign the fcc keep americans connected pledge can continue to provide service after the pledge expires at the end of the month. You also state that these companies, especially small ones cannot continue to provide Service Without being paid for an indefinite period of time. Do you agree that legislation like the one that senator kramer and i introduced would help ensure to keep americans connected . I appreciate the question. There is no question that some of the smaller providers have endured significant losses in many cases as you have heard. I think it is an important step in the right direction to make sure from a consumer perspective they can enjoy the services they have relied on for the last three months. Thank you for your leadership on the issue and i aagree with everything the chairman just said. Very good, im sure that is always the case. Commissioner starks, last week in your joint oped in essence with the civil right leaders, i think that is one you mentioned, you called on lawmakers to improve connectivity for marginalized communities in this crisis and in the future. We have bigs for connectivity for Higher Education students in need act. They help the National Telecommunications administration ensure that College Students with financial need can access critical interment. Do you believe that would be helpful . Yes, do i, and in particular i yes, senator, do i believe that is extremely helpful legislation. I held an hbcu round table myself with president s from hbcus as large as howard and famu and they are discussioning how important this will be for pell grant students, students going back to their homes, area wheres there is not connectivity and it is extremely important. You mentioned a Lifeline Program and senator durbin and marsha fudge and i asked you myself i wrote a letter urging the fcc to take action to ensure they are aware of the help they can get to access the internet. And we know this has always been an issue but the pandemic put a major magnafying class glass on this. Upwards of 38 million are eligible and it will be increasingly important, and what i called for was an mou to snap, to hhs, and to other agencies that are prerequisites for lifelines. I think it is extremely important that the agencies be part of this. And the fact of the matter is that americans cannot afford for our government to work in silos right now. I will add some other broad band questions for the other two commissioners. I didnt mean to o mitt you but this is about the merger of tmobile and sprint. I have opposed that and im very ed that we have only three nationwide wireless carriers once this would go through, and just very concerned about what is happening with consolidation in general. There is a hearing going on unrelated to fcc matters but related in a way. It involves disturbing news on the antitrust investigations and political interference in them related to the can bus industry and other things, but it is worth looking at that testimony nap is how i started my day today. The reason it is really vant here is not that it involves the fcc, but that the concern about any political interference in these merger decisions. And what do you think the impact will be of having only three nationwide weirless carriers on our countrys ability to deploy 5g. Consolidation is a problem and less competition is less competition. That means higher rates and less innovation. We went from four to three, when we went from four to three major airline