Warner pushes for rural broadband expansion
Pointing out that 700,000 Virginians, including residents of Rappahannock County, lack high-speed internet, Sen. Mark Warner has joined Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota in introducing comprehensive broadband infrastructure legislation to expand wireless access.
The Accessible, Affordable Internet for All
Act seeks to address the digital divide by investing $100 billion to build high-speed broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved communities, schools included.
A $5 billion earmark, for example, would enable students without internet at home to participate in remote learning; and the act would authorize funding for Wi-Fi on school buses so students can stay connected, especially in rural areas like this one where longer bus rides are common.
“In Virginia alone, it’s estimated that more than 700,000 Virginians lack access to broadband, making it harder for families to access essential services during these unprecedented times,”LsicaeindseWda&rnInesru, raedding such accReEsSsIDisENexTtIAreLmAeNlyDvCitOalMinMEthReCIdAiLgital economy age, not to mention prolonged period of COVID-19.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, despite being only an hour’s drive from the nation’s capital, residents of Rappahannock County are among a remaining 18 million Americans — out of a U.S. population of 330 million — who still don’t have access to broadband and/or a ordable wireless service.
All told, while increasing broadband access to school students, the act would provide $80 billion to deploy high-speed broadband infrastructure nationwide; allocate $5 billion for low-interest
nancing of broadband deployment through a new secured loan program; and require an a ordable option for internet service plans o ered on the newly-built infrastructure, including a $50 monthly discount on plans for low-income consumers.
As reported in this newspaper, Warner earlier this year introduced legislation to help ensure adequate home internet connectivity for K-12 students during the coronavirus pandemic.