The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted a Notice of Inquiry seeking comment on the state of broadband availability, as part of its annual report required by Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The Notice of Inquiry aims to align more closely with the plain language of the Section 706 Report, focusing on whether broadband is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely manner. The FCC’s NOI proposes a technology neutral and comprehensive approach to assess broadband availability and seeks to use objective data and evidence to evaluate the current state of broadband deployment and availability, while welcoming input on emerging issues related to broadband accessibility.
