Rep. Markey, the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, said, “Our nation’s ability to compete in the high speed broadband world is essential to our economic future. Unfortunately, many of our global competitors are speeding down the broadband highway while America’s broadband struggles to keep up with outdated infrastructure. But we can’t catch up without better information about existing broadband service and deployment.

“This broadband mapping bill reflects the fact that current data collection methods used by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are inadequate and highly flawed. We must have more reliable information about broadband deployment and consumer adoption as a first step in developing any comprehensive blueprint for America's broadband future. Moreover, local planning grants will permit such communities to effectively organize to spur deployment and usage of broadband services in local areas,” Markey added.

Today, the House of Representatives is also expected to pass legislation, H.R. 3403, designed to ensure that a consumer calling 911 in an emergency from an Internet phone, using VoIP service, would be connected. “I believe that VoIP users should have the same degree of confidence that their call will go through as anyone calling from a traditional phone or wireless service,” Markey said.