Today, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt strong rules to combat digital discrimination

In August, Senators Reverend Warnock, Luján urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take action on rulemaking regarding digital discrimination

The August letter followed reporting from The Markup and the Associated Press that formerly redlined Atlanta neighborhoods were offered substandard internet deals

Washington, D.C. – After U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M) urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take action on rulemaking regarding digital discrimination, today, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) echoed the Senators’ call. In a filing with the agency, the NTIA asked the FCC to adopt strong rules to combat digital discrimination. The senators’ efforts over the summer followed reporting from The Markup and the Associated Press that formerly redlined Atlanta neighborhoods were offered substandard internet deals. Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the FCC is required to issue rules within two years that facilitate equal access to broadband by preventing and eliminating digital discrimination on the basis of “income level, race, ethnicity, color, religion, or national origin.” The Senators urged the commission to take swift action to adopt final rules to facilitate equal access to broadband internet.

“Residents in Georgia or anywhere else shouldn’t be paying more for less just because of their address or zip code, especially when it comes to something as essential as internet access.” said Senator Reverend Warnock.“I’m pleased the NTIA has followed my lead in calling for the FCC to act with urgency to end discriminatory digital practices. As people continue to work, learn, and more online, our state’s economy relies on FCC’s swift and deliberate action to end digital discrimination.” 

Senator Warnock is a champion for securing robust federal investments in broadband access to every Georgian across the state. Since taking office, Senator Warnock has secured over $2.5 billion in federal dollars for Georgia broadband expansion and improvement. Most recently, the Senator announced $1.3 billion in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding, which works to expand broadband and strengthen access to affordable, high-speed internet across our state, particularly for the estimated 15% of Georgians who currently lack reliable broadband access. Last year, Senator Warnock hosted FCC Chair Rosenworcel in Jackson County where he took her to meet with parents, students, and local officials about their broadband needs and the challenges they face. He also received a commitment from Rosenworcel to connect every Georgian to affordable and reliable broadband. The Senator has led the entire Georgia delegation in ensuring every dollar possible of federal broadband funding comes to the state through accurate broadband mapping. In a June Senate Commerce committee hearing, Senator Warnock pushed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) nominees on how the commission can work to ensure Georgians of all income levels are able to afford internet access. 

More information about the NTIA announcement is available HERE.

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