Efforts to enhance internet accessibility for rural communities take a step forward with the introduction of the Bridging the Broadband Gap Act. This initiative aims to improve the affordability and expansion of broadband services through the deployment of satellite and fixed-wireless broadband technologies.
The proposed legislation allows states to utilize funds from the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to cover 50 percent of the initial installation cost of satellite or fixed wireless receivers. Additionally, it offers a subsidy of $30 for each monthly bill during the first year of service. By prioritizing counties that are in the bottom 50 percent of a state’s per capita income, the act seeks to address the digital divide affecting rural communities.
Despite the BEAD Program’s allocation of over $42 billion to rural broadband expansion, connectivity remains absent in many areas, including parts of Southern Ohio. The new act is designed to bridge this gap by extending broadband access across rural America, while the necessary infrastructure is gradually developed. The law underscores the urgency of providing internet access through any available technology to support rural farmers, families, and businesses, ensuring their integration into the modern economy.
The legislation specifically amends the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, authorizing recipients of BEAD funds to offer broadband vouchers to households in designated locations. With significant federal funds already allocated to states, the act facilitates the use of existing resources for implementing these vouchers.
In Ohio’s Second Congressional District, thirteen out of sixteen counties fall within the bottom 50 percent of the state’s per capita income areas. By focusing on these low-income counties, the Bridging the Broadband Gap Act aims to substantially enhance internet accessibility for rural families across Southern Ohio, fostering greater economic and social connectivity.