These obstacles are getting in the way of expanding broadband in North Carolina

For many months during the pandemic, Americans were forced to function remotely and were dependent upon internet access to stay connected with work or school. Those who lacked quality access fell behind. With recent passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act, $65 billion in federal funds will be used to expand broadband infrastructure to underserved communities across the US. The bill’s long overdue investment in broadband expansion offers great promise in bridging the digital divide between urban and rural America, but significant barriers still exist in terms of deployment, primarily due to outdated and inefficient utility pole access rules. Legislative action can and should be taken to modernize the pole processes and expedite broadband deployment. Congress should remove the barriers that cause delays for permits and access to poles. In addition to this, the North Carolina League of Municipalities has advocated for years for rolling back restrictive state laws to better enable partnerships between cities and private internet providers to improve service. Cities would provide the backbone for internet access because better internet service is vital to the economic survival of rural towns. With billions now available for broadband, enabling public-private partnerships is more critical than ever. The NC legislature must pass laws to assist, rather than hinder, these partnerships. At the very least, it should remove these restrictions as soon as possible.

[Bob Etheridge is a former US Representative in NC’s 2nd District. Scott Neisler is mayor in Kings Mountain and a NC League of Municipalities vice president.]