Rep. Axne, Rural Broadband Task Force Unveil Comprehensive Bill to Expand, Improve Internet Connectivity

Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) and the members of the House Rural Broadband Task Force introduced comprehensive legislation that would invest over $100 billion to improve broadband access and affordability in rural areas of the United States.

The Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act includes $80 billion over five years to deploy high-speed broadband infrastructure to unserved and underserved areas, $5 billion over five years for low-interest financing of broadband deployment, $9 billion to help cover the cost of broadband for low-income customers and those who’ve recently lost their job, $5 billion for schools and libraries to help with rapid deployment of mobile hotspots and laptops to families who need them, and over $1 billion for a new State Digital Equity Capacity Program to ensure people have the digital literacy needed to work and learn online.

The legislation sets new, faster speed standards for these projects to ensure that rural areas have the infrastructure they need to compete for the long term. It also encourages efficient and equitable investments, such as requiring that networks built with federal funding offer at least one affordable service plan, mandating the installation of broadband conduit in Federal Highway projects to lower future construction costs, giving preference to construction that will allow open use of new internet infrastructure, and establishing the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth to streamline, coordinate, and monitor expansion efforts.

“As I’ve said since my first days in office, it is unacceptable that two decades into the 21st century – the digital century – that many in our rural communities lack the internet connectivity to participate in the modern economy, educational instruction, or community affairs,” said Rep. Axne. “I’m extremely proud of this legislation that our Task Force has spent the last year crafting – it takes a comprehensive approach to closing the digital gap and will make a real difference in the lives and livelihoods of Iowans and others across our nation. The COVID-19 crisis has really illustrated how important this bill is – it’s impossible to take classes or work from home if your internet connection is slow or unreliable, which risks leaving kids and families behind as we attempt to recover.”

“I am grateful for the determination and advocacy Congresswoman Axne has brought to the Rural Broadband Task Force. She has a clear understanding of the needs of her district and has brought personal experiences with her constituents who lack access to high-speed internet,” said House Majority Whip Rep. Jim Clyburn, leader of the House Rural Broadband Task Force. “She has played a critical role in the crafting of this legislation, especially through her consistent reminders of the importance of affordability for internet access to ensure no one is left behind as we work to close the digital divide.”

The legislation also directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to collect data on broadband prices throughout the country and commissions a detailed study of how high costs may keep people from actually using the internet. The bill authorizes additional funding for the deployment of internet-connected devices to enable remote learning capabilities and Wi-Fi on school buses to help keep rural students connected during long bus rides.

Background:

Rep. Axne has served on the House Rural Broadband Task Force alongside fellow Iowa Reps. Abby Finkenauer and Dave Loebsack since May 2019.

In October, Rep. Axne hosted a roundtable on rural broadband expansion in Indianola with FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel.

“Broadband is no longer nice-to-have, it’s need-to-have for work, education, healthcare, and so much of modern life,” said Commissioner Rosenworcel. “So kudos to the Rural Broadband Task Force for recognizing this truth and coming up with a plan to connect us all. Working together like this we can solve the digital divide, fix the homework gap, and give everyone a fair shot at internet age success.”

This week, Rep. Axne hosted a roundtable in Adel is discuss how the coronavirus pandemic has made expanding rural broadband more critical to families who are working and learning from home.

Stakeholder Support:

The legislation has the vocal support from many broadband advocates, including the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), Public Knowledge, the Open Technology Institute, and NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association (NTCA).

“Efforts to bridge the digital divide began nearly 25 years ago, yet millions of rural Americans remain sidelined and disconnected simply because of their zip code. In 2020, that’s unacceptable – especially as the COVID-19 pandemic spotlights the need for high-performing broadband access in so many of aspects of rural communities,” said Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. “More than 150 electric co-ops are working to provide broadband access in their local communities, and hundreds more are conducting feasibility studies. This legislation carries the promise of accelerating those efforts and expanding broadband access across rural America. We commend the cosponsors of the bill for their focus on solving this problem and look forward to working with them and other stakeholders to make broadband access possible throughout the nation.”

“We commend Representative Clyburn, the rural broadband taskforce, and the members of the Energy and Commerce committee who contributed to this legislation,” said Jenna Leventoff, Senior Policy Counsel at Public Knowledge. “This bill goes far beyond just funding broadband deployment. It also promotes broadband adoption by focusing on affordability and making sure that consumers have both the skills and devices they need to access it. By focusing on all parts of the broadband equation, this legislation will significantly narrow the digital divide.”

Previous Legislation:

In December, the House passed two bills supported by Rep. Axne to improve and upgrade federal broadband mapping – the Mapping After Public Scrutiny (MAPS) Act, and the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act.

The Broadband DATA Act, which was signed into law in March 2020, requires the FCC to develop a new mapping process, with full, verifiable information about available speeds at a detailed level. That, combined with a process for residents and local officials to challenge the maps, will provide federal support to communities without service that have been improperly cut off.

Read More:

The Full Text Of The Accessible, Affordable Internet For All Act Is Available Here.

A Section-By-Section Summary Is Available Here.

A Fact Sheet On The Bill Is Available Here.