NRECA Urges Trump Administration to Support and Fix Rural Broadband Programs

NRECA is urging the Trump administration to update federal broadband policies and programs to better support rural America’s access to high-speed internet and strengthen the economy, public safety, health and education. In letters to several new Trump administration officials—Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr—NRECA outlined how the federal government can empower co-ops to provide rural broadband by reforming key programs, regulations and funding mechanisms. Topping the list is a recommendation to Lutnick that some of the current rules for the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program be replaced with more “commonsense policies” that get BEAD funds to rural internet providers more quickly. In addition, the letter states that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration under the Commerce Department should maintain its preference for fiber within the BEAD program, add flexibility in meeting certain rate, wage and permitting statutes and remove non-statutory obstacles to disbursing BEAD funds.