Sec. 6. Special Representative for the Global Connect Initiative
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The Secretary of State shall designate to the U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy the additional role of Special Representative for the Global Connect Initiative (in this section referred to as Special Representative ), who shall continue to be appointed by the President, by and with the consent of the Senate. In addition to carrying out the duties described in subsection
(c)and those duties determined by the Secretary of State, the Special Representative shall direct the foreign policy efforts of the United States Government to promote global universal Internet access, and shall represent the United States internationally in bilateral and multilateral engagement on these matters. The Special Representative shall— oversee the Global Connect initiative to promote policies and programs that support quality, affordable Internet access, with the goal of enabling first-time access to mobile and broadband Internet for at least 1,500,000,000 people in both urban and rural areas by 2020; promote greater investment by international finance institutions and United States corporations in Internet infrastructure expansion and other projects to enhance connectivity, as described in subparagraphs
(B)and
(C)of section 5(1); encourage partner countries to adopt policies designed to lower prices and improve the quality of Internet service, such as those described in section 5(1)(A); and collaborate with other Federal agencies to seek opportunities to promote connectivity projects. The Special Representative shall, as appropriate, collaborate and coordinate with the Department of Commerce, the Federal Communications Commission, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the Export-Import Bank, the United States Agency for International Development, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and other relevant agencies in formulating United States policies, reports, and implementation strategies for expanding global Internet access. There are authorized to be appropriated— such funds as may be necessary to support the work of the Special Representative and three full time equivalent
(FTE)staff members; and $200,000 to provide further funding to the Technology Leadership Program as part of a Global Connect fund in order to help bring an additional 1,500,000,000 people online by 2020. Not more than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate committees a report describing— the plans and existing efforts of the United States Government to promote universal Internet access; specific steps taken toward the goals of connecting an additional 1,500,000,000 people by 2020 and expanding the information communications technology sectors of developing countries; methods for private companies to partner in furtherance of these goals; and recommendations for further executive and legislative action.