CSG Joins Partners to

Broadening Horizons

CSG joins other government leadership organizations in support of federal expansion of broadband

by Blair Hess

In early March 2020, The Council of State Governments joined a coalition of state and local government leadership associations to express a united support for Congress’ possible investment in nationwide broadband infrastructure. This effort, which was announced in a joint press release, encourages the federal government to take advantage of the opportunity to leverage the upcoming auction of the C-band spectrum for a large-scale expansion and upgrade of broadband across communities. This auction of the C-band spectrum is at the center of why CSG has joined the coalition. C-band spectrum is what satellite-based media companies use to beam radio and television signals to approximately 120 million households across the U.S. The C-band spectrum is also utilized to advance 5G signals, something that more cities across the country are working to do. In late February 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created new rules for how C-band spectrum space will be divided. With these changes, the government could potentially pay existing spectrum users to relocate their services in the next five years and then hold a public auction for spectrum use. CSG joined the National Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties and the United States Conference of Mayors to encourage the federal government to leverage the upcoming auction of the C-band spectrum and use the funds for a largescale expansion and upgrade of broadband across the country. “The need for greater federal investment in the nation’s broadband infrastructure has never been more apparent,” the coalition wrote in its news release. “Even as more government services, business opportunities and educational activities move online, too many of our residents have been left on the wrong side of the digital divide by insufficient or unaffordable connectivity. Connectivity is essential to unleashing economic potential, promoting job growth and ensuring small business participation in the digital economy. We need ubiquitous, affordable broadband to truly unlock the potential of new technologies for health care advancement and smart infrastructure.” As businesses and schools closed following the global outbreak of COVID-19, more citizens — of all ages — were pushed online to complete schoolwork and the demands of teleworking to maintain employment. The digital divide, which has continued to worsen as life is being lived increasingly online, is more apparent today during this change to how we are working and living through the novel coronavirus pandemic. Those who lack access to broadband and to the funds and skills to use it are missing out on employment, education and health care opportunities. “More work is needed to connect all of our communities,” the media release stated. “This auction presents a unique opportunity to invest in closing the digital divide without creating a new cost burden for the federal government and while still accommodating the needs of the current users of the C-band.” CSG and its partners in this coalition maintain that state and local governments should be partners in determining the allocation of funds because state and local leaders have a more granular understanding about where broadband infrastructure is robust and where it is lacking. Affordability of subscriptions is another issue that state and local leaders can help address.

More work is needed to connect all of our communities. This auction presents a unique opportunity to invest in closing the digital divide without creating a new cost burden for the federal government and while still accommodating the needs of the current users of the C-band.”

– The Council of State Governments, alongside its partners: the National Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties and the United States Conference of Mayors