Mountain State Times

U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito, John Hickenlooper, Gary Peters, and Jerry Moran have reintroduced the bipartisan Network Equipment Transparency (NET) Act. The legislation aims to enhance transparency in the broadband supply chain through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This move is intended to ensure that federal broadband programs proceed without delays.

Senator Capito emphasized the importance of addressing potential issues that could impede community connectivity efforts. "In order to effectively connect our communities, it’s critical that our federal agencies work to address any potential problems that would slow or hinder this process of deployment. I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing the NET Act, which will provide us with another tool to monitor the supply chain so these crucial projects can be executed in a timely manner," she stated.

The bill responds to previous disruptions in the supply chain that have delayed broadband infrastructure projects. A lack of transparency regarding telecommunications supply chain health may lead to equipment shortages as federal programs focus on creating high-speed and reliable networks.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has already allocated billions for broadband initiatives across the country. The NET Act seeks to identify supply chain issues early on, minimizing their impact on ongoing projects.

Under this bill, the FCC's Communications Marketplace Report would be required to inform Congress about how supply chain disruptions affect the completion or deployment of broadband infrastructure projects.

Senator Capito had previously introduced this act during the 118th Congress.