The following statement is attributed to Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, regarding the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) proposal to streamline broadband infrastructure deployment in rights-of-way (ROW) during the completion of federal highway projects. The proposal would require greater collaboration with states to combine broadband infrastructure and roadwork projects to eliminate repeated excavations, also referred to as ‘Dig Once’ policies. CTA filed comments today in support of the FHWA proposal. 

CTA highlighted the following main points in its comments: 

• The proposal will streamline deployment of much-needed broadband infrastructure to innovators and consumers, minimize costs, eliminate repeated excavations, preserve land and maximize space in the ROW. 

• Greater coordination between broadband infrastructure entities and state departments of transportation will save money for consumers and taxpayers. 

• FHWA should ensure the registration and notification processes adopted by states are easy to use, streamlined and non-duplicative. 

“This is an issue we have long advocated for—it is a smart, efficient way to install much-needed broadband infrastructure in this country,” said CTA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. “Not only will consumers get better, faster internet access – taxpayers will save money from Dig Once policies by reducing costs from repeated excavations.”   

“The pandemic has highlighted how many Americans suffer from inferior broadband. Dig Once would help streamline broadband access for Americans and support the country’s transition to game-changing 5G networks.” 

Read CTA’s full comments here.