this would be as life changing as rural electric


Warner and Kaine Join Bipartisan Letter in Support of Rural Broa - WVIR NBC29 Charlottesville News, Sports, and Weather


WASHINGTON, DC (WVIR) -
U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine joined a bipartisan letter calling on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to support long-term funding that would make broadband and voice services more accessible and affordable in rural communities.

In the letter, the Senators thank the FCC for its work to support rural broadband and request that it prevent upcoming funding cuts to smaller operators that deliver broadband to the country’s most rural communities, which would otherwise go into effect on July 1.

“These recurring budget shortfalls result in lower speeds, more unserved locations, and higher prices for rural consumers and businesses,” the Senators said. “We share your goal of eliminating the digital divide and look forward to working with you to maintain accessible, affordable broadband for rural American consumers and businesses.”

The FCC fixed the budget shortfall for the Universal Service Fund’s (USF) High-Cost program for the current Fiscal Year, but has not addressed long term funding for the program. The USF program helps to ensure that consumers in rural areas pay comparable rates to those in urban areas by helping rural carriers cover some of their costs.

The Senators make the case that funding the program encourages businesses to invest in broadband networks in regions of the country where service is needed, but where deploying broadband is difficult and costly.

Warner and Kaine have been strong supporters of expanding broadband to rural communities in Virginia as Governors and Senators. Last year, Warner and Kaine joined a bipartisan group of colleagues to urge President Trump to include broadband in an infrastructure initiative.
Warner and Kaine Join Bipartisan Letter in Support of Rural Broa - WVIR NBC29 Charlottesville News, Sports, and Weather
In October, Warner and Kaine praised a Senate Democratic proposal to invest $40 billion to build broadband infrastructure necessary to connect over 34 million Americans to high-speed internet.

In November, Warner and Kaine announced $6 million in federal funding to construct broadband infrastructure in Buchanan and Scott Counties.

The full text of the Senators’ letter to Chairman Pai is available here.

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This is a solution in search in search of a problem. If a person living in a rural area wants broadband, they can get it. If a person in a rural area wants multi-channel TV they cab get that too. Just an excuse to keep alive federal programs that should have been axed thirty years ago.

Agreed. I have a mobile hot spot and a tablet. I can get service anywhere when I am rural. Even when moving.

Living rural, living inner city, living suburban all have their good and points. You win some, you lose some.

But what the hell. We got 40 billion left over after paying the bills. Let's piss it off on something.

I am on a list to get internet where I live now. At the moment using slow connection through cell phone tethering.

i think these folks are thinking of their constituents in WV and parts of Virginia, Tennessee, Ala, Miss , and perhaps Nv and Utah

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The Dems wail we don't have $11-$15 billion for a wall...

$40 billion for already accessible internet?...No problem there...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

A wall is a waste of money; broadband like rural electric is a down payment on our future.

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Those folks are my two Senators. Neither does much thinking.

It's a good idea whoever thought of it

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If you're waiting on internet you're doing something wrong. There are companies that will have high speed broadband at your house in less than 72 hours unless you live on the backside of the moon.
Nope. Those folks are thinking of all the kickbacks they will get from the phone companies.

I live here. I know what I can or can't get.
just like y'all didn't believe
I had such a hard time getting my birth certificate

you need to get around more

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