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GAO-12-687R 1 (2012-06-27)

handle is hein.gao/gaobacgfi0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Accountability * Integrity * Reliability United States Government Accountability Office Washington, DC 20548 June 27, 2012 The Honorable Henry A. Waxman Ranking Member Committee on Energy and Commerce House of Representatives The Honorable Anna G. Eshoo Ranking Member Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Committee on Energy and Commerce House of Representatives The Honorable Edward J. Markey The Honorable Doris 0. Matsui House of Representatives Subject: Planning and Flexibility Are Key to Effectively Deploying Broadband Conduit through Federal Highway Projects Affordable access to broadband telecommunications is increasingly viewed as vital to the country's economic growth as well as for improving state and local systems for traffic management, public safety, and educational goals.1 According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the largest cost element for deploying broadband via fiber optic cable is the cost of placement, such as burying the fiber in the ground, rather than the cost of the fiber itself. Recent legislation introduced in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives would require the Secretary of Transportation to require states to install broadband conduit during construction for certain federally funded highway projects in compliance with standards developed by the Secretary, in coordination with FCC.2 Both the House and Senate bills would make conduit available to any requesting broadband service provider for a charge not to exceed a cost-based rate. Both bills would affect only new construction or highway expansion projects that receive federal funding and would not, for example, affect projects limited to road resurfacing or general maintenance. 1The term broadband commonly refers to high speed Internet access. GAO, Telecommunications: Broadband Deployment Is Extensive throughout the United States, but It Is Difficult to Assess the Extent of Deployment Gaps in Rural Areas, GAO-06-426 (Washington, D.C.: May 5, 2006). 2H.R. 1695, 112 Cong. (2011); S. 1939, 112t Cong. (2011). As of our reporting date, both bills were pending in Congress. GAO- 12-687R Broadband Conduit Deployment

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