Rural residents without broadband must be heard
The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 sets aside more than $40 billion to deploy broadband internet to underserved regions. Now, the federal government needs to know where people can, and cannot, access the web on a high-speed connection.
The Federal Communications Commission released its most recent map of broadband coverage on Nov. 18. People have until Jan. 13 to alert the agency of any errors. The process will determine how federal funds are spent.
But here’s the rub: The internet is the most efficient way for the FCC and public to communicate. If people lack good internet connections, however, it’s hard for them to submit comments through a web-based portal — not to mention to study the agency’s detailed interactive map. That’s why it’s essential for county governments, or cooperatives of county governments, to help ensure accurate information about broadband coverage reaches Washington.
The Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission covers eight counties: Erie, Crawford, Clarion, Forest, Warren, Mercer, Venango and Lawrence. As of Aug. 1, broadband coverage in those counties ranges from more than 85% (Lawrence County) to less than 30% (Forest County). The organization’s successful efforts to collect data and seek state and federal assistance have resulted in an average increase in coverage of 22% over the year ending July 31.
In Fayette County in the rugged Laurel Highlands, 22% of residents lack internet access. Like the FCC, that county is asking residents to report their ability to use the internet with an online form. The website also includes an internet speed test so the county can record whether the connection meets state and federal broadband standards.
It’s good that Fayette County is boosting the feds’ request for data, but using the internet to ask about internet access is still problematic. Counties like Fayette should consider sending surveyors door-to-door, or at least holding public meetings that are advertised by mail and other non-digital means, to make sure the message reaches as many people as possible.
Much is at stake: Counties will get shares of $42.45 billion in Broadband Equity Access and Deployment funds, based on the FCC’s accounting of their needs. If the feds think coverage is higher than it is, those counties will lose money they need to expand the economic impact of broadband.
For rural communities, broadband access is a matter of economic justice. It means they are connected to the opportunities many Americans take for granted. It also opens up possibilities for people who can work remotely to choose to live in those regions.
But to make sure those regions get their fair share, county governments have to step up and get creative to collect accurate data for the FCC.