Sec. 4. Statement of policy

515 words·~2 min read·/bill/114/hr/5537/eh/section-4

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Congress declares that it is the policy of the United States to partner, consult, and coordinate with the governments of foreign countries, international organizations, regional economic communities, businesses, civil society, and other stakeholders in a concerted effort to— promote first-time Internet access to mobile or broadband Internet for at least 1.5 billion people in developing countries by 2020 in both urban and rural areas; promote Internet deployment and related coordination, capacity building, and build-once policies and approaches in developing countries, including actions to encourage— a build-once approach by standardizing the inclusion of broadband conduit pipes which house fiber optic communications cable that support broadband or wireless facilities for broadband service as part of rights-of-way projects, including sewers, power transmission facilities, rail, pipelines, bridges, tunnels, and roads, that are funded, co-funded, or partially financed by the United States or any international organization that includes the United States as a member, in consultation with telecommunications providers, unless a cost-benefit analysis determines that the cost of such approach outweighs the benefits; national and local government agencies of developing countries and donor governments and organizations to coordinate road building, pipe laying, and major infrastructure with the private sector so that, for example, fiber optic cable could be laid below roads at the time such roads are built; and international organizations to increase their financial support, including grants and loans, and technical assistance to expand information and communications access and Internet connectivity; promote policy changes that encourage first-time affordable access to the Internet in developing countries, including actions to encourage— integration of universal and gender-equitable Internet access goals, to be informed by the collection of related gender disaggregated data, and Internet tools into national development plans and United States Government country-level strategies; reforms of competition laws and spectrum allocation processes that may impede the ability of companies to provide Internet services; and efforts to improve procurement processes to help attract and incentivize investment in Internet infrastructure; promote the removal of tax and regulatory barriers to Internet access; promote the use of the Internet to increase economic growth and trade, including— policies and strategies to remove restrictions to e-commerce, cross-border information flows, and competitive marketplaces; and entrepreneurship and distance learning enabled by access to technology; promote the use of the Internet to bolster democracy, government accountability, transparency, and human rights, including— policies, initiatives, and investments, including the development of national Internet plans, that are consistent with United States human rights goals, including freedom of expression, religion, and association; policies and initiatives aimed at promoting the multistakeholder model of Internet governance; and policies and support programs, research, and technologies that safeguard human rights and fundamental freedoms online, and enable political organizing and activism, free speech, and religious expression that are in compliance with international human rights standards; promote Internet access and inclusion into Internet policymaking for women, people with disabilities, minorities, low-income and marginalized groups, and underserved populations; and promote cybersecurity and data protection, including international use of the National Institute of Standards and Technology

(NIST)Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity that are industry-led, globally recognized cybersecurity standards and best practices.