Chairwoman Rosenworcel Statement On Communications Equity and Diversity Council Report and Recommendations

Guidance for States and Localities Provided as Part of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Implementation

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel issued the following statement on the FCC’s Communications Equity and Diversity Council (CEDC)’s approval of its report: “Recommendations and Best Practices to Prevent Digital Discrimination and Promote Digital Equity”:

“As many jobs, schools, and healthcare in recent years shifted to online environments, the need to deliver high-speed broadband connectivity across the country was amplified.  And through these shifts, we saw the challenges Americans from unserved and underserved communities face in accessing high-speed internet to meet their basic needs.  Last year I expanded the mission of the Communications Equity and Diversity Council to look beyond traditional media, but across all technology, to further align with the Commission’s aggressive digital equity agenda.  Tackling digital discrimination will help to make sure that all have access to this infrastructure we all need for success.

“As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Congress called on the FCC to offer guidance for states and localities to help prevent digital discrimination by internet access service providers.  I charged the CEDC to recommend model policies and best practices for states and localities.  This was a complex and critically important task for the CEDC, and I thank the members of the three Working Groups who worked so diligently to provide this expert guidance.  Earlier this year the Commission adopted a Notice of Inquiry on preventing and eliminating digital discrimination, and I look forward to incorporating these findings into that effort.  Your contributions are greatly appreciated and are an important step forward as we tackle these issues both locally and nationally.”

This report compiles the findings from the Council’s three working groups and offers guidance to prohibit digital discrimination in broadband deployment, adoption, and use, as well as in the contracting and grants process for funds related to forthcoming broadband infrastructure in all 50 states.  

Source: FCC media annoucement