Utah Valley Times

Washington, D.C. - Congressman John Curtis (R-UT) and Congresswoman Kuster (D-NH) have introduced the Rural Broadband Protection Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at combating waste, fraud, and abuse in federal broadband programs. The Senate version of the bill was introduced in 2023 by Senator Capito (R-WV) and Senator Klobuchar (D-MN).

The Rural Broadband Protection Act seeks to address the issue of broadband access in rural areas and ensure that rural Americans have the same opportunities as those in more urban areas. The bill aims to crack down on broadband providers who make commitments they cannot fulfill, leaving rural Americans without high-speed internet and burdening taxpayers.

Congressman Curtis emphasized the importance of broadband access for rural Utahns, stating, "Broadband access is critical to our modern-day economy and ensures rural Utahns have similar opportunities to Utahns on the Wasatch Front." He expressed the need for a thorough vetting process to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in FCC rural broadband programs.

Congresswoman Kuster highlighted the various benefits of broadband access, from enabling small business owners to connect with customers to providing seniors with access to telehealth services. She stated, "Access to quality, reliable broadband is essential to participating fully in the 21st-century." She expressed her enthusiasm for introducing bipartisan legislation to prevent government waste and ensure that federal dollars go to providers that can effectively deploy broadband networks in rural and hard-to-reach communities.

Senator Capito, who introduced the Senate version of the bill, emphasized the economic and community benefits of broadband access. She stated, "From online business startups to digital learning and telemedicine, broadband access is critical to the strength of our economy and our communities." Senator Capito highlighted the need for congressional direction to ensure that taxpayer money is used properly to fund broadband deployment in rural areas. She expressed her goal of closing the digital divide in communities of all sizes across the state of West Virginia.

Senator Klobuchar, co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, emphasized the importance of bringing high-speed internet to every community in the country. She stated, "In 2024, we should be able to bring high-speed internet to every community in our country, regardless of their zip code." Senator Klobuchar highlighted the role of the bill in helping Americans connect to work, school, healthcare, and business opportunities. She expressed her commitment to closing the digital divide and ensuring reliable access to high-speed internet for families across the state.

The Rural Broadband Protection Act has received endorsements from industry organizations, including US Telecom and NTCA — The Rural Broadband Association. Brandon Heiner, US Telecom Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency in government programs aimed at closing the digital divide. Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA, expressed support for the legislation and the need for proper vetting of funding applicants to ensure effective use of universal service fund resources.

The FCC's high-cost programs aim to fund telecom carriers providing service in rural areas where the market alone cannot support the cost of network infrastructure and connectivity. The Connect America Fund, a modernized program by the FCC, supports broadband deployment to ensure access to robust and affordable connectivity for all Americans, regardless of their location.

The Rural Broadband Protection Act seeks to provide essential safeguards to the FCC's high-cost programs by ensuring that funding goes to companies with a proven track record of success and sound judgment in deploying in hard-to-serve areas.

By introducing this bipartisan legislation, legislators aim to bridge the digital divide and ensure that rural Americans have access to quality broadband services. The bill aims to hold broadband providers accountable and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in federal broadband programs.