South Dakota Senator John Thune has introduced broadband legislation entitled, the Rural Connectivity Advancement Program Act of 2020. The measure calls for capturing a portion of the proceeds from spectrum auctions conducted by the Federal Communications Commission through September 30 of 2022. Center for Rural Affairs Policy Manager Johnathan Hladik says Thune’s bill does a good job of funding broadband and improving its access in rural areas.
He says the importance of providing broadband access in rural areas has been highlighted by the COVID 19 pandemic.
Hladik says the biggest challenge of getting the RCAP bill passed is just getting Congress to agree to pass some legislation.
One of the primary components of the RCAP bill is that it requires the FCC to utilize the funds provided in it to address gaps that remain in broadband internet access service coverage in high cost rural areas.
