Soards: Bills Address ‘Critical’ Technology

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The president of AT&T Indiana says two bills in the General Assembly could help the state maintain a “leadership position” in high-speed Internet access. Bill Soards says House Bill 1101 would create a pathway for “broadband-ready community” certification and is unlike any other in the country. HB 1318 would create a more uniform system for permits to expand wireless infrastructure in the state. During an interview on Inside INdiana Business Television, Soards said it may be time to revisit telecommunications deregulation, which was passed in 2006. The impetus behind HB 1101 is to help communities demonstrate to broadband providers that they have a “welcoming atmosphere” for infrastructure investment.

Soards says, if passed, the bill would help support a “critical” piece of infrastructure for communities to attract and maintain business.

He tells Inside INdiana Business, HB 1318 would focus on ever-changing wireless technologies and would especially benefit rural communities.

Soards believes the legislation would help make Indiana a leader in wireless outside of metropolitan areas.

Both bills have cleared the House and are awaiting discussion by the Senate Utilities Committee.

You can view House Bill 1101 by clicking here and House Bill 1318 by clicking here.

Source: Inside INdiana Business