50 Technology Councils Across the U.S. Urge Passage of Legislation To Expand Rural Broadband Access

A group of the nation's leading technology associations sent a joint letter to Congressional leadership urging the passage of two crucial pieces of legislation that will help connect families in unserved areas to high-speed broadband internet:

1. The Expanding Opportunities for Broadband Development Act (H.R. 7160), was introduced by Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC). It would expedite broadband deployment by cutting outdated, exclusionary regulations. Written two decades ago in the days of dial-up modems, these regulations now invite abuse, slow deployment, and discourage competition. 
2. The bipartisan Rural Broadband Acceleration Act (H.R. 7022, S.4201) was introduced by House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) and Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman (R-OH). The bill would accelerate the deployment of gigabit tier networks in the upcoming $20.4 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) for builders starting construction within six months of receiving funding. And it sets a bold goal of providing broadband service to target communities within a year. This could quickly move a number of shovel ready projects into full production.  This bill recognizes the urgency of closing broadband deployment gaps: the stakes are too high to wait any longer.