“PTA members couldn’t agree more that Pennsylvania’s telecommunications policy needs to be modernized, but fewer regulatory hurdles, not more, are the way to get there. Note that under a 2004 law, Act 183, the RLECs were required to reach 100 percent deployment in their service territories at certain minimum speeds and by certain dates. The carriers met their deployment deadlines, and increasingly offer speeds far above those set down in Act 183, in many cases exceeding the FCC broadband definition. In exchange for meeting their goals, the carriers were granted relief from a few costly, outdated regulations.
We need more of that. To suggest otherwise by pointing at the RLECs as the reason for the digital divide lacks an understanding of what these companies have done since the passage of Act 183 to bring cutting-edge broadband service to all corners of the commonwealth.”
Excerpt from a mid-week posting on PA Broadband News regarding the introduction of House Bill 333 which increases the BB speeds required under Act 183, Pennsylvania’s universal broadband deployment statute.