Rural Broadband Efforts Gain Bipartisan Momentum

Expanding high-speed internet access to rural areas has been one of the few issues that’s drawn bipartisan support in a sharply divided Congress. And while nothing’s assured, backing by Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai may help push those congressional efforts across the finish line.

Chairman Pai recently talked up the Senates Gigabit Opportunity Act (S 1013), that would effectively legislate his proposal for spurring broadband investment in remote areas, where internet access is available through 1990s-era dial-up service. The legislation — introduced May 3 by Sen Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and co-sponsored by Sen Chris Coons (D-DE) — would provide tax benefits for investments in “gigabit opportunity zones,” primarily in low-income and rural communities. On the other side of the Capitol, Rep David Loebsack (D-IA) introduced related legislation, the Rural Wireless Access Act (HR 1546), which would require the FCC “to establish a consistent methodology for its collection of coverage data about the available speed tiers and performance characteristics of commercial mobile and data service” for use in deciding on the eligibility of areas that can receive funds from the FCC-administered Universal Service Program or similar initiatives.