[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 61 (Thursday, April 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




UPON INTRODUCTION OF THE WIRELESS INTERNET NATIONWIDE FOR FAMILIES ACT 
                                OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 17, 2008

  Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, today Rep. Christopher Cannon and I 
introduced the Wireless Internet Nationwide for Families Act of 2008 
(WIN) which, if enacted, would foster the deployment of a new nation-
wide wireless broadband network.
  By every measure, the U.S. is losing the international broadband race 
and our competitiveness as a nation is at stake. More than 100 million 
Americans do not have broadband at home. Seventy-one percent of Latinos 
do not have broadband at home. Sixty-nine percent of Americans living 
in rural areas do not have broadband. Sixty percent of African 
Americans do not have broadband at home.
  The high cost of internet access is a barrier for too many families 
who want broadband. In just the last year, the average cost of a 
broadband connection has risen $2 per month, or nearly five percent. 
These troubling figures must change and that's why I've introduced the 
WIN Act. This legislation mandates that the Federal Communications 
Commission (FCC) auction certain spectrum that is currently lying 
fallow.
  The winner of the auction would be required to build and complete a 
network within 10 years which must provide coverage to at least 95 
percent of our country. The licensee would be required to provide 
service for free to consumers and public safety users. The WIN Act also 
requires the licensee to deny access to obscene and indecent material 
on the free service tier.
  The results of the 700 MHz auction disappointed many of us who hoped 
that a new entrant would emerge. Seventy percent of the auctioned 
spectrum went to only two carriers. While the auction required under 
this legislation is open to anyone, it is my hope that the bold 
conditions of requiring free, family friendly service will encourage 
the entry of a new national broadband service provider.
  The public airwaves are a national resource that should he utilized 
to benefit the public. For far too long our nation's carriers have 
stockpiled spectrum, gamed building-out requirements, and provided poor 
service to consumers. This bill attempts to remind licensees that they 
do not own the public waves in fee simple. As licensees, they hold 
spectrum in a public trust. This is an agreement that obligates them to 
utilize this spectrum in the public interest in exchange for their 
exclusive control.
  The Innovation Agenda made a commitment to spur affordable access to 
broadband and this bill will go a long way to providing universal 
broadband access. I encourage my colleagues to join me and Rep. Cannon 
in support of this legislation.

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