Congressman Taylor Introduces Bill Aimed at Expanding Broadband Access Across Appalachia

Rep Dave Taylor (R-OH-02)  introduced the Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act, which aims to increase access to broadband for rural communities across Appalachia. The Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act will direct the submission of a request to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on the capabilities of low-orbit satellites operated under the purview of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). This study would additionally assess the capabilities of low-orbit satellites for business services to ensure these satellites can meet businesses’ needs. It would also require an evaluation of economic development in areas already utilizing low-orbit satellites to determine the increase in resulting economic growth. If favorable results are produced from this study, the Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act will allow for the potential inclusion of low-orbit satellites in the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.