I wanted to get your feedback on the importance of the AIRWAVES Act, which I introduced earlier this year with Senator Gardner.

I want to perhaps just say that we should commit to each other to continue this discussion and really drilldown on this issue.

I will often have one conversation with providers and industry about the levels of connectivity and then I am out.

If the private sector cannot, for some reason, get to everywhere it needs to get, then the issue of whether municipalities should be somehow empowered to becomes another question.

One of the purposes of the AIRWAVES Act is to make sure that the United States can maintain its leadership in advanced wireless networks.

I have heard from students in Texas who do homework at fast food restaurants with fries because it is the only place they know where they can get a free Wi-Fi signal.

Part of what we are dealing with here... is that there does seem to be this ongoing different understanding of the level of connectivity for people in so many parts of our state.

I think the time has come to treat this like the utility that it really is and address it that way.

It is essential that any infrastructure package must include broadband buildout and investment.

the capacity to do telemedicine is increasingly important, as it is for people who live far away from providers.

A strong telecommunications infrastructure is critical to our State's economy, as well as the safety and prosperity of all Granite Staters.

So I think it is time for a National Broadband Map that offers an honest and current picture of wired and wireless broadband all across the country.

Access to the Internet is vital in today's economy.

I do have a number of questions that are really intended to help us delve a little bit deeper into the topics that you all have raised so well.

I believe rural communities will be left behind if we cannot guarantee high speed connectivity.

For people in our state, a lack of affordable access to broadband continues to be a real and serious challenge.

Thank you very much, Mr. Strickland.

access to the Internet is vital in today's 21st century economy.