If you wanna go down that road, compel them to build the infrastructure where it was promised. Or issue a fine for the amount they were given, plus interest.
We don't need to play silly "affirmative action" games to keep them accountable.
We don't need to play silly "affirmative action" games to keep them accountable.
The issue is that FCC is, correctly, treating broadband as a utility at a level comparable to electricity/sewer/drinkable water. And as such, ensuring that underserved people get access to the service is more important than punishing contractors for failing to deliver it.
I do agree that the discrimination hand-wringing is unnecessary, and a good "Deliver the service to everyone, assholes" should be plenty in theory. But if leaning on those laws is what it takes to get them to comply, then whatever. Results are what matters.
There is no valid reason to turn this into yet another performative piece of race-bait.