HSB 227

This bill relates to the development of an internet exchange point and the use of moneys in the empower rural Iowa broadband grant fund. The bill defines “content delivery network” as a network of servers and their data centers that are geographically distributed to facilitate rapid access to information on the internet. The bill defines “internet exchange point” as a physical infrastructure through which internet service providers and content delivery networks exchange internet traffic between their networks via peering relationships. The bill defines “internet service provider” as a person who provides a service that enables users to access content or information on the internet. The bill requires the office to coordinate a program to provide for the creation of an internet exchange point utilizing the Iowa communications network. The bill authorizes the office to use a maximum of percent of the funds in the empower rural Iowa broadband grant fund at the beginning of the fiscal year for the administration and operation of the internet exchange point. _____ respect to the internet exchange point on the appropriation of sufficient moneys for the planning, designing, and building of the internet exchange point. The bill limits this appropriation to a maximum of $2 million. The bill requires the office to consult with the commission in establishing and administering the internet exchange point. The bill prohibits the office from administering and operating the internet exchange point in a manner that gives preference to a particular internet service provider or content delivery network. The bill also adds new defined terms to Code chapter 8D. The bill defines “broadband” as a high-speed, high-capacity electronic transmission medium, including fixed wireless and mobile wireless mediums, that can carry data signals from independent network sources by establishing different bandwidth channels and that is commonly used to deliver internet services to the public. §153(11), as any person engaged as a common carrier for hire, in interstate or foreign communication by wire or radio or interstate or foreign radio transmission of energy. The bill defines “communications service provider” as a service provider that provides broadband service. Finally, the bill defines “political subdivision” as a municipality, township, county, district, authority, or any portion or combination thereof.11, subsection 4, which restricted the political subdivisions that could access the Iowa communications network to those receiving communications services from the state as of April 1, 1986. The bill allows common carriers, communications service providers, and political subdivisions to access the Iowa communications network. The bill requires a common carrier or communications service provider to contribute an amount consistent with their share of use of the Iowa communications network. _____ contribute at the same rate as applicable to state agencies.