§ 8060. Legislative findings and purpose

(a) The General Assembly finds that:

(1) The availability of mobile telecommunications and broadband services is essential for promoting the economic development of the State, the education of its young people and lifelong learning, the delivery of cost-effective health care, the public safety, and the ability of citizens to participate fully in society and civic life.

(2) Private entities have brought mobile telecommunications and broadband services to many households, businesses, and locations in the State. Nevertheless, significant gaps remain in 99 target communities for broadband service, and in community hubs and along the routes which connect them for mobile telecommunications service.

(3) A new level of creative and innovative strategies (including partnerships and collaborations among and between State entities, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, the federal government, and the private sector) is necessary to extend and complete broadband coverage in the State, and to ensure that Vermont maintains a telecommunications infrastructure that allows residents and businesses to compete fairly in the national and global economy.

(4) When such partnerships and collaborations fail to achieve the goal of providing high-quality broadband access and service to all areas and households, or when some areas of the State fall behind significantly in the variety and quality of services readily available in the State, it is necessary for an authority of the State to support and facilitate the construction of infrastructure and access to broadband service through financial and other incentives.

(5) Small broadband enterprises now offering broadband service in Vermont have limited access to financial capital necessary for expansion of broadband service to unserved areas of the State. The General Assembly recognizes these locally based broadband providers for their contributions to date in providing broadband service to unserved areas despite the limitations on their financial resources.

(6) The universal availability of adequate mobile telecommunications and broadband services promotes the general good of the State.

(7) Vermonters should be served by broadband infrastructure that, to the extent practical and cost-effective, uses the best commercially available technology and does not involve widespread installation of technology that becomes outmoded within a short period after installation.

(b) Therefore, it is the goal of the General Assembly to ensure:

(1) that all residences and business in all regions of the State have access to affordable broadband services not later than the end of the year 2013, and that this goal be achieved in a manner that, to the extent practical and cost-effective, does not negatively affect the future installation of the best commercially available broadband technology or result in widespread installation of technology that becomes outmoded within a short period after installation;

(2) the universal availability of mobile telecommunication services, including voice and high-speed data along roadways, and near universal availability statewide;

(3) the investment in telecommunications infrastructure in the State that creates or completes the network for service providers to create last-mile connection to the home or business and supports the best available and economically feasible service capabilities;

(4) that telecommunications and broadband infrastructure in all areas of the State is continuously upgraded to reflect the rapid evolution in the capabilities of available mobile telecommunications and broadband technologies, and in the capabilities of mobile telecommunications and broadband services needed by persons, businesses, and institutions in the State;

(5) the most efficient use of both public and private resources through State policies by encouraging the development of open access telecommunications infrastructure that can be shared by multiple service providers.

(c) The statutory purpose of the exemption for Vermont Telecommunications Authority (VTA) bonds and notes in section 8074 of this title is to lower the cost of borrowing in order to finance the expansion of broadband access across the State. (Added 2007, No. 79, § 1, eff. June 9, 2007; amended 2009, No. 54, § 50, eff. June 1, 2009; 2011, No. 53, § 15, eff. May 27, 2011; 2013, No. 190 (Adj. Sess.), § 30; 2013, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)