NARUC Broadband Group Seeks State-Federal Collaboration

State commissioners can influence broadband policy even with limited telecom authority, said NARUC broadband task force members at the association’s virtual annual meeting Thursday. Utility regulators’ telecom role “has diminished significantly” in most states, but they can still “play the role of honest broker,” said Idaho Public Utilities Commissioner Paul Kjellander, who next week becomes NARUC president. Collaboration with federal government is a must, said other commissioners.

The task force plans to produce resolutions for NARUC to consider at its July 18-21 meeting, said Chair Chris Nelson. Before then, task force subgroups will submit draft reports by February, and the larger group will meet a week before the Feb. 7-10 winter meeting and again in April or May to vote on a final report and recommendations, said the South Dakota PUC member. NARUC votes next week on resolutions about inmate calling service rates and network outage reporting system access (see 2010300038).

States’ eligible telecom carrier designation authority is critical to strong oversight, so NARUC President Brandon Presley wants to form a subcommittee on that topic within the Telecom Committee. NARUC passed a resolution supporting state ETC authority at its last meeting (see 2007220053). The task force’s work is important, stressed the Mississippi Public Service Commission member. “Nothing like COVID-19 has shown in up-close and personal terms how deep and dark and real that digital divide is.”

Commissioners generally don’t take the lead on broadband in states, with development offices more often getting the nod, said Kjellander. His subgroup produced a document with information and case studies on how state commissions are supporting broadband with USF. Nelson would like the Telecom Committee to update that at least annually.

NARUC should seek more open dialogue with the FCC, said Telecom Committee co-Vice Chair Crystal Rhoades, who won reelection this week as Nebraska Public Service Commissioner (see 2011040043). Her subgroup is contacting the FCC to find chances for partnership, but “the FCC is a little bit in flux right now due to the election ... and a lot of people working remotely.” Rhoades suggested collaborating on an overlay for the national broadband map to show where state and federal funds for broadband and digital literacy are going: “There has not been great coordination on those federal programs.” She urged “more regular and consistent communications” and information sharing between states and the FCC on USF.

“Given our limited role as regulators, certainly having an increased presence on some of the national telecommunication and broadband work groups that are currently tackling this issue and creating some of these state broadband programs may be helpful,” said Michigan Public Service Commissioner Tremaine Phillips, another subgroup leader. Partaking in NTIA’s state broadband and digital inclusion leaders networks would give state regulators a better view and opportunity to contribute expertise, he said. Puerto Rico Public Service Regulatory Board Associate Member Alexandra Fernandez-Navarro “can't stress enough that we need to participate in these national groups more.”

National pandemic relief “supercharged” state broadband programs, noted Phillips. “Now they’ve begun to diversify into not just being the deployment of infrastructure, but also into looking at opportunities for assisting residents with adoption and affordability questions.” Several states released Wi-Fi hot spot maps that will help even after the pandemic, he noted.

State broadband offices are critical, said Detroit Digital Inclusion Director Josh Edmonds. While broadband is today’s gap, “there will always be some iteration of a digital divide,” Edmonds noted. Salary shouldn’t be the only determinative factor of whether someone can receive a low-cost plan because it doesn’t necessarily reflect “the way people are living,” he said.

Electric cooperatives and municipalities want to provide internet, while investor-owned utilities seek to lease middle-mile networks, said Vermont Public Utility Commissioner Sarah Hofmann. Barriers include land rights and easements, though some state legislatures are changing those laws to empower utility broadband, she said. Hofmann’s subgroup hopes to make “actual recommendations and maybe even language that can be used to help people pass these hurdles.”

Consumers and the Public Interest Committee Chair Maida Coleman highlighted Chicago voting this week for a ballot initiative to ask the city to ensure all community areas have broadband access. The Missouri PSC commissioner said it's “an example of the growing public expectations for reliable access to broadband internet.”