Grassley Ltr - broadband accessSent by: CITY OF DUBUQUE 319 589 4149; 02/15/01 8:21AM;~ef~X#560;Page 1/1
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O19) 589-4110
February l4,2001
Senator Charles Grassley
135 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20501
[3ear Senator (.~rassiey
On behalf of the City Council of the City of Dubuque, I would ask for your rigorous support orS.
regarding broadband access in rural and low-income areas. As Senate Finance Committee
,ham you are m a crucial posttlon to bring forward th~s important legislation.
As City Manager ora mid-sized Iowa city located in a rural $etting, Dubuque faces the challenge
of competing not only with other midwest cities already served by next generation broadband
providers, but we must also campete internationally in this em of global telecommunications.
The current state of telephony services in Dubuque is dismal. Local providars utilize analog
switching capabilities. Universal digital switch service is simply not available. Local business
and industry are t~,ced with limited service and high costs.
Recent discussions with local broadband service providers have identified certain constraints to
providing next generation service to Dubuque. Cost, not surprisingly, is a primary i~ue when
companies have more lucrative markets yet to capture. There is no incentive ~o provide full
service m Dubuque because the internal rate of return to the broadband service providers is not
~ufficient for the investment required. The two-tiered tax credit benefit provided in S. 88 may
well provide the needed financial incentive for private industry investment in the
telecommunications infrastructure needed to bring the high-speed internet world to rural America
· .- which means places like Dubuque, Iowa.
I urge your support of this legislation through your committee axed the full Senate. Dubuque, and
all of Iowa, cannot afford to be let~ behind by a revolution of access to inlbrmatinn and
knowledge. Thenk you, Senator Grassley, %r your continued efforts on our behalf.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
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