Sec. 4. Statement of policy
550 words·~3 min read·
/bill/115/hr/600/ih/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 consult, partner, and coordinate with the governments of foreign countries, international organizations, regional economic communities, businesses, civil society, and other stakeholders in a concerted effort to close the digital gap by promoting— 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; Internet deployment and related coordination, capacity building, and build once policies and approaches in developing countries, including actions to encourage— standardization of build once policies and approaches for the inclusion of broadband conduit in rights-of-way projects 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; adoption and integration of build once policies and approaches into the development and investment strategies of national and local government agencies of developing countries and donor governments and organizations that will enhance coordination with the private sector for road building, pipe laying, and other major infrastructure projects; and provision of increased financial support by international organizations, including through grants, loans, and technical assistance, to expand information and communications access and Internet connectivity; 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 development 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; the removal of tax and regulatory barriers to Internet access; 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; use of the Internet to bolster democracy, government accountability, transparency, and human rights, including through the establishments of policies, initiatives, and investments that— support the development of national Internet plans that are consistent with United States human rights goals, including freedom of expression, religion, assembly, and association; expand online access to government information and services to enhance government accountability and service delivery, including for areas in which government may have limited presence; advance the principles of responsible Internet governance, including commitments to maintain open and equitable access; 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;
Internet access and inclusion into Internet policymaking for women, people with disabilities, minorities, low-income and marginalized groups, and underserved populations; 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 and globally recognized cybersecurity standards and best practices; and inter-agency coordination and cooperation across all executive branch agencies regarding the construction and promotion of Internet initiatives as a greater part of United States foreign policy.