The FCC Must Help Rural America Get Internet Access

Why should taxpayers subsidize improvements in rural America (“Why Rural Americans Keep Waiting for Fast Internet,” Page One, June 16)? Rural communities account for nearly one-fifth of America’s population and one-tenth of its gross domestic product. They provide water, food and energy to the country. Although well-intentioned, government contracts are only as effective as their oversight. Clearly the government fell short in Heavener (OK) and elsewhere. The Federal Communications Commission needs to monitor antimonopolistic practices from large providers and confirm that contract winners lay fiber-optic cable on time.

[Dornauer works at the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity]