Infrastructure bill should include rural broadband

The Hill:

Telecom and consumer groups are preparing to make a major push for including billions of dollars for rural broadband funding in any infrastructure deal, even as lawmakers and advocates struggle with tough questions ahead.

Democratic leaders signaled that broadband investment could be a major part of the $2 trillion infrastructure deal they are pursuing with President Trump. Industry groups quickly took notice at what could be the most significant government investment in broadband in years.

U.S. Telecom, which represents the country’s largest internet service providers, put out a statement immediately in support of a “muscular, serious infrastructure bill that narrows the digital divide, supports broadband deployment, modernizes networks and gets all American families.”

And the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) said it is eager to promote its vision for broadband funding.

“We’re in favor of any infrastructure package including any broadband funding,” Cinnamon Rogers, senior vice president of government affairs with TIA, told The Hill. “I would characterize TIA as ‘hopeful.’ We remain very hopeful that they can strike a deal.”

Consumer groups, which support significant rural broadband investments but often split with telecom groups over how that money should be allocated, have also started their lobbying efforts.
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Living in the country has many advantages but broadband service is not one of them.  I pay about three times what cit people pay for internet service that is not nearly as fast.  I tried satellite service and thought it was awful.  What is interesting is that the broadband cable that was placed along the highway a few miles from my house is not something that I can tie into at this time.  Broadband would help rural businesses as well as farmers and ranchers.