Legislative proposal claims goal of modernizing U.S. telecom infrastructure. But it doesn't have a plan to get there.

GOP Leaders Offer Broadband Framework - Multichannel: Senate Commerce Committee chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and House Energy & Commerce Committee ranking member Greg Walden (R-Ore.) describe it as a foundation for legislative action related to the COVID-19 economic recovery. In the process, they said, the proposals would "modernize the nation’s communications infrastructure, allow all Americans to participate in the digital economy, and enhance U.S. network security, reliability, and resiliency."

According to its backers framework would include 1) authorizing funding for the FCC to complete accurate broadband mapping efforts, something FCC chair Ajit Pai has been calling for; 2) making sure students have access to broadband, 3) making sure those having trouble paying for broadband can still get it, 4) promoting digital equity; and 5) helping carriers "working tirelessly to to keep Americans connected" during the pandemic.

Problem is none of these five items will meet the goal of modernizing the nation's legacy copper telephone connections that reach most every American doorstep with fiber to the prem #FTTP. This has been a fundamental problem in U.S. telecommunications policy for a generation. It is focused on treating the symptoms of its failure to modernize copper to fiber and talking all around that rather than adopting policy and plans to tackle it head on.