H349 Bill Summary

• Office of the State Chief Information Officer, through its Office of Digital Infrastructure, shall develop a State broadband plan in collaboration with the Department of Transportation, Department of Administration, Department of Commerce, NC State University, UNC Charlotte, and private sector stakeholders to ensure all North Carolina citizens have broadband access.

• State broadband plan must include identification of effective deployment methods, strategy for service affordability, evaluation of current broadband deployment status, and recommendations for enhancing economic development, education, public safety, healthcare, energy efficiency, job creation, and government efficiency.

• Office shall report to the Joint Legislative Committee on Information Technology no later than May 1, 2016, with the State broadband plan, legislative recommendations, and cost estimates for plan implementation.

• Funding for plan implementation shall come from the Information Technology Fund available to the Office of the State Chief Information Officer.

• Broadband service providers may offer voice grade communications services in areas outside their service territory or franchise area to customers when the incumbent telecommunications or cable provider is not providing broadband service, without violating service territory restrictions or franchise agreements.