CCX Media Reports on the “Equal Access to Broadband Act”

A bill called the Equal Access to Broadband Act would allow local governments to negotiate franchise agreements for broadband providers’ use of the public right-of-way.

CCX Media supports this bill and believes franchising is a proven way to ensure equitable and complete delivery of broadband lines, with no redlining or cherry picking. The bill is HF4182  and it would establish a broadband franchise requirement to generate compensation for local government to use for funding local public, education and government community television, in exchange for private use of the public right of way by broadband providers.

It’s similar to cable franchising, which is why the Northwest Suburbs Cable Communication Commission (NWSCCC) was established 40 years ago. The NWSCCC provides most of the funding for CCX Media.

The bill’s chief author is Rep. Mike Freiberg (DFL-Golden Valley) and other local authors include Rep. Kristin Bahner (DFL-Maple Grove) and Rep. Samantha Vang (DFL-Brooklyn Center).

The bill passed through the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee on March 11.

You can also learn more in the Minnesota House’s write-up about the hearing on Monday.

Freiberg is the chief author of HF4182.

Brooklyn Center | Brooklyn Park | Champlin | Corcoran | Crystal | Golden Valley | Maple Grove | New Hope | Osseo | Plymouth | Robbinsdale | Rogers | Twin Cities | Wayzata

Newsmakers