Rural America Needs More Broadband, Report Says
The federal government needs to foster the creation of more broadband networks in the rural areas of the United States, according to a new study.
The report — jointly issued by the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Agriculture — praised the Obama Administration's efforts to expand broadband access in rural areas. However, it said more needs to be done.
Approximately 28% of rural Americans lack access to "the kind of broadband that most Americans take for granted," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, calling the situation "not acceptable." He called for the FCC and USDA to continue their pushes towards expanded access, saying:
"These efforts will help ensure that high-speed Internet can connect rural communities to global markets, jobs, and world-class education and health care."
The government has primarily worked toward these goals through the USDA's Rural Utilities Service (RUS), which funds broadband expansion through Farm Bill loans. Since 2009, RUS has invested more than $20 billion to create larger and more robust telecommunications networks in the rural sector.
The Communications Workers of America strongly endorses these efforts because they will provide more opportunities for Americans to succeed in a fast-paced information economy.
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