FCC Commissioner Pai’s Statement On the Need to Extend Broadband Throughout Rural America

This week, I've had the privilege of seeing firsthand the opportunities that thigh-speed broadband can bring to rural America. Time and time again, I was told that the rising level of regulatory uncertainty coming from our nation's capital was a major barrier to infrastructure investment. And I repeatedly heard that the Federal Communications Commission needed to promote rural broadband deployment, including by changing Universal Service Fund rules that are holding back investment. In this regard, I was grateful to hear that numerous companies from each state were supportive of the detailed proposal I outlined for extending federal USF support to rate-of-return companies that offer stand-alone broadband service.

As I travel back to Washington (DC), I'll carry with me a renewed appreciation for those who do the hard work every day connecting rural America with next-generation services. My goal is to change the FCC's rules in order to help them to meet that challenge, to extend the broadband revolution -- in short, to give rural Americans digital opportunities comparable to those enjoyed by their urban counterparts.