Former House Telecommunications, Technology & Internet Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA) and a have dozen other members of the panel have written the heads of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Rural Utilities Service and the Federal Communications Commission saying they want to make sure that underserved urban areas are considered for broadband stimulus funds. "Specifically," they wrote, "we request that low-income urban populations be considered as potentially underserved populations when you and your agencies develop the broadband grant programs and finalize the requirements for these programs," arguing that affordability for low-income families should be factored into the definition of "underserved", even where there are "several different options for service." Joining Rep Markey are Reps Doris Matsui (D-CA), Bobby Rush (D-IL), Michael Doyle (D-PA), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Donna Christensen of the Virgin Islands, and Diana DeGette (D-CO).
There are many benefits of living in rural regions, notably lower land prices, and many, often quite well-off people live there by choice. In many cases, these more well-off people can afford and would pay the full cost of services, eg, for telecommunications. It is, however, peculiar that subsidies to provide services in the country are rarely means tested, while equivalent subsidies are often are not provided at all in the cities.
There are many benefits of living in rural regions, notably lower land prices, and many, often quite well-off people live there by choice. In many cases, these more well-off people can afford and would pay the full cost of services, eg, for telecommunications. It is, however, peculiar that subsidies to provide services in the country are rarely means tested, while equivalent subsidies are often are not provided at all in the cities.