The Committee on Small Business Subcommittees on Health and Technology and Agriculture, Energy, and Trade will meet for a joint hearing titled, “Disconnected:  Rural Broadband and the Business Case for Small Carriers.”  The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in Room 2360 of the Rayburn House Office Building. 

This hearing will examine the disparities between large, nationwide carriers and small, rural carriers that contribute to the urban and rural digital divide.  Rural communities depend on small carriers to provide internet and telecommunications service where nationwide providers may choose not to deploy broadband, or provide minimal service.  Deploying broadband in these high-cost areas requires significant investment in capital, time, and resources.  The cost of investment, coupled with challenges unique to small, rural carriers in offsetting costs creates barriers to competition and sustainability for small and rural carriers in the mobile wireless marketplace.  This hearing will focus on challenges inherent in the current regulatory and operational schemes that limit the ability of small carriers to deploy broadband in rural America. 

Documents
1. Hearing Notice
2. Witness List
3. Hearing Memo
4  Subcommittee Chairwoman Radewagen Opening Statement 
5. Subcommittee Chairman Blum Opening Statement 

Witnesses
Ms. Erin Fitzgerald
Regulatory Counsel
Rural Wireless Association, Inc.
Washington, DC
Disclosure
Testimony

Mr. Tim Donovan
Senior Vice President, Legislative Affairs
Competitive Carriers Association
Washington, DC
Disclosure
Testimony

Mr. Paul Carliner
Co-Founder
Bloosurf, LLC.
Salisbury, MD
Disclosure
Testimony

Mr. Derrick Owens
Senior Vice President of Government & Industry Affairs
WTA — Advocates for Rural Broadband
Washington, DC
Disclosure
Testimony