Section 6B. (a) The corporation shall establish a council for wireless internet, cellular and broadband development, to be known as the wireless and broadband development council. The executive director of the John Adams Innovation Institute, established pursuant to section 6A, shall serve without additional compensation as the executive director of the council. The purpose of the council shall be to serve as an agent of the commonwealth to create and maintain a more favorable and responsive environment in the commonwealth for the development of wireless internet, cellular and broadband infrastructure. The council shall seek to promote access to high speed internet connectivity and telecommunications across the commonwealth, with a special interest in enhancing and increasing wireless internet, cellular and broadband coverage in underserved communities, to promote economic development, meet the commonwealth’s homeland security and emergency preparedness needs, improve government efficiency, and improve the quality of life for the commonwealth’s residents. The council shall be comprised of 13 members, 1 of whom shall be the director of wireless and broadband development within the Massachusetts office of business development; 1 of whom shall be the secretary of economic affairs; 1 of whom shall be the chairman of the commonwealth development council; 1 of whom shall be the chairman of the department of telecommunications and energy; 1 of whom shall be designated by the Franklin-Hampshire Connect; 1 of whom shall be designated by the Berkshire Connect; 1 of whom shall be designated by the Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies; 1 of whom shall be designated by the Massachusetts Municipal Association; and 5 of whom shall be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a representative from the telecommunications industry; 1 of whom shall be a representative from the cable television telecommunications industry; 1 of whom shall be a representative of a small-to-medium sized local exchange carrier; 1 of whom shall have expertise in state and federal law concerning telecommunications technology; and 1 of whom shall be a member of the public. The council shall develop and recommend strategies to achieve the rollout of universal wireless internet, cellular and broadband coverage to every municipality in the commonwealth in a manner consistent with the duties of the director of wireless and broadband development established pursuant to section 3 of chapter 23A. The council shall: (i) identify appropriate technologies and strategies to ensure wireless and broadband internet service into underserved communities; (ii) investigate new technologies in order to maintain the commonwealth’s position as a leader in the adoption of telecommunications technology; (iii) facilitate the development of private, joint public-private or public initiatives which afford open, competitive, content neutral services accessible via multiple carriers; (iv) assist the director of wireless and broadband development, in taking other action considered necessary to fulfill the goal of ensuring that the commonwealth remains a leader in the wireless and high-speed connectivity marketplace choice in all communities, including those currently underserved. In effectuating his duties pursuant to this section, the executive director may, subject to the approval of the council; (i) enter into contracts and agreements and execute all instruments necessary or convenient thereto for accomplishing the purposes of this section; (ii) distribute grants to municipal governments and private parties to expand wireless and broadband access in underserved communities; (iii) appear before boards, commissions, departments or other agencies of municipal, state or federal government; (iv) prepare, publish and distribute, with or without charge, as the council may determine, such studies, reports and bulletins and other material as the council deems appropriate; and (v) take other action considered necessary to fulfill the goal of making the commonwealth a leader in wireless and high-speed connectivity marketplace choice in all communities, including those currently underserved.

(b) The council shall annually review state and local initiatives to expand wireless internet, cellular and broadband access and shall provide guidance and recommendations to the governor, the general court, and municipal governments concerning such activities. The council shall annually submit any recommendations and reports on progress being made toward achieving these goals, including a cost analysis of ongoing initiatives and a needs assessment of such initiatives, to the director of wireless and broadband development, the chairs of the house and senate committees on ways and means, the chairs of the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies, and the chairs of the joint committee on small business and community development.