TMCnews Featured Article


July 02, 2009

U.S. to Spend $4 Billion on Broadband in Rural Areas

By Erin Harrison, Senior Editor


Vice President Joe Biden has announced a loan and grant program so companies can develop infrastructure to deliver broadband, or high-speed, Internet access to rural areas.
 
The Delaware Democrat this week revealed the availability of $4 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – better known as “economic stimulus package” – loans and grants to help bring broadband service to un-served and underserved communities across America. This is the first round of funding aimed at expanding broadband access to help bridge the technological divide and create jobs building out Internet infrastructure.
 
Biden, appearing Wednesday at a high school in Wattsburg, Pa., several miles outside of Erie, said Internet access is crucial so that all of America can compete economically, according to the Associated Press.
 
“Today’s announcement is a first step toward realizing President Obama’s vision of a nationwide 21st-century communications infrastructure – one that encourages economic growth, enhances America’s global competitiveness and helps address many of America’s most pressing challenges,” Biden said.
 
Providing high-speed Internet access, he said, will enable rural areas to compete and develop jobs without losing their rural character. Though the Seneca school district has broadband access, Biden says many students don't have it at home.
 
Nemertes Research predicted that the broadband infrastructure in the United States will reach maximum capacity by 2010. Biden says America lags behind a dozen other countries in Internet access and that has to change.
 
“Access to high-speed Internet is no longer a luxury, but an essential tool to compete in this 21st-century economy,” said Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (R-Va.). “The availability of this technology is critical to attracting the business and development that will create the good paying jobs that stay in the United States.”
 
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Erin Harrison is a Senior Editor with TMC. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Michael Dinan