Washington, DC – The Congressional Rural Caucus, led by the Caucus’ Telecommunications Task Force Chairs Reps. Bart Stupak (D-MI) and Lee Terry (R-NE), sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging the agency to address the needs of rural America as it begins to develop a broadband strategy to provide universal access nationwide. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the FCC is required to submit a national broadband plan to Congress by February 17, 2010.
The complete letter is attached.
“The biggest telecommunications challenge facing rural America is access to broadband Internet,” said Congressman Stupak. “The economic recovery bill makes an important commitment to expanding broadband access, but this must be an ongoing effort to connect our communities – large and small – to the global economy. In today’s economy, one of the most fundamental tools of business is access to the Internet, which is why broadband deployment is so critically important. I look forward to working with my Rural Caucus colleagues to see that a national broadband strategy meets the needs of rural America.”
“It is imperative that the Commission focus on unserved areas as they work towards a broadband strategy that will hopefully provide a blueprint for ubiquitous access across the country,” said Congressman Terry. “I look forward to working with my Rural Caucus colleagues later this summer on incorporating broadband into the Universal Service Fund.”
“Universal broadband access is critical to strengthening rural communities and fueling economic development throughout rural America,” said Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Travis Childers (D-MS). “Basic broadband service is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity. Right now, many rural areas are struggling with limited access to this critical technology. As Members representing rural districts, my colleagues and I on the Rural Caucus understand that any effective national broadband strategy must address the challenges currently confronting rural America and take the necessary steps to improve access in these communities. I hope that the FCC will consider the Rural Caucus’ suggestions as it begins to develop its plan.”
“High-speed Internet service for economic development is particularly important in rural areas. Broadband services enable rural entrepreneurs and small businesses to easily connect to one another and to potential customers which allows communities to compete globally,” said Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE). “In addition to empowering farmers to identify consumer demand and access new markets, broadband services and new wireless technologies can be employed to create efficiencies in farming and livestock operations: real-time access to weather reports; satellite mapping to match seed, fertilizer, and crop protection applications to local soil conditions; Global Positioning Systems for spraying herbicides and pesticides; remote monitoring of livestock operations; and the ability to track livestock over a wide range of property.”
The Rural Caucus provided the following comments in its letter to the FCC:
1. In its proposal to Congress, the FCC should include recommendations on how to maximize federal investments in broadband expansion by enhancing coordination and information sharing among various Departments. For example, a number of Departments tasked with funding infrastructure projects can coordinate opportunities for broadband deployment with the FCC.
2. A national broadband strategy should continue the federal government’s initial investment, which began with the Recovery Act, beyond fiscal year 2010. While the Recovery Act will help address construction barriers to broadband deployment, its funding for such projects will end next year. An effective broadband strategy will authorize some sort of continuation of this program so that we can continue construction projects that help expand service.
3. Providing access to rural areas should be a top priority of any successful national broadband plan. Specifically, federal investments in expanding broadband access should target areas without service and focus on projects that attempt to provide access to the most people at the lowest costs, or projects with the biggest bang for their buck.
4. A national strategy should place an emphasis on providing incentives and funding opportunities that target businesses, schools, hospitals, and other public and private sectors that are capable of serving as anchor tenants for expanding broadband networks in rural communities. Connecting these institutions will directly benefit the lives of rural residents while simultaneously reducing the costs of providing additional residential broadband access.
5. It is imperative that a national broadband plan addresses unique cases where existing and future funding is still not enough. Despite the private funds that have been invested in broadband access across the country, and additional federal funding that will be invested in the coming years, some communities in the most rural areas may continue to lack broadband access in the future if they do not receive adequate consideration under the FCC’s plan.
6. A national broadband plan must recognize the need to reform the Universal Service Fund (USF). USF reform must be technology neutral, recognize that broadband should be a supported service, and make special efforts to provide predictable, targeted support to achieve the goal of universal service.
The Congressional Rural Caucus is a bipartisan working group of members dedicated to addressing the pressing and unique issues facing America’s rural communities. The body serves to collectively address these challenges and promote legislation that includes sound rural policies. The Caucus is chaired by Congressmen Travis Childers (D-MS) and Adrian Smith (R-NE), and vice-chaired by Congressmen Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Tim Walz (D-MN).
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