WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)
joined Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and several of his colleagues in
urging
the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to
prioritize funding for broadband projects in unserved rural areas. Instead of
overbuilding existing broadband infrastructure in areas with reliable broadband
service, the
lawmakers push the NTIA to put the needs of unserved areas – largely rural areas –
first.
“NTIA has an opportunity to make a
substantial impact on connecting rural America. However, doing so will require
that your agency outline rules that specifically prohibit overbuilding and that
set clear criteria to ensure projects targeted at unserved areas are actually
prioritized. The regulations and methodology for the distribution of these
funds must prioritize projects that are connecting customers and communities to
broadband for the first time and avoid projects in areas where reliable
broadband is already being provided or where there is an enforceable commitment
to build high-speed broadband using federal or state funds,” the senators wrote.
“Further, you must work in concert with
other broadband programs to avoid duplication of state or federal government
efforts and your department should ensure that all technological options are on
the table to bring broadband service to unserved areas. This will ensure that
all customers, regardless of location have the opportunity to benefit from this
program,” the senators continue.
Grassley has been a strong advocate for
expanding broadband access to include unserved Iowans. Last fall, Grassley
supported the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) which
contains $65 billion for broadband deployment. And in December, he
called on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to close
the digital divide in rural areas by removing unnecessary red tape.
The letter was also signed by Thom Tillis
(N.C.), John Barrasso (Wyo.), Marco Rubio (Fla.), Mike Braun (Ind.), James
Lankford (Okla.), Cynthia Lummis (Wyo.), Jim Risch (Idaho), Lindsey Graham
(S.C.), Tommy Tuberville (Ala.), John Kennedy (La.), Mike Crapo (Idaho), Ted
Cruz (Texas), John Boozman (Ark.), Richard Burr (N.C.), John Cornyn (Texas),
Roger Marshall (Kan.) and Jim Inhofe (Okla.).
The full letter can be found by clicking
HERE.
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