Rural Broadband DATA Act Pt 1
I’m Bob Larson. Broadband access can be a bit sketchy for those who live in rural parts of the country, but as technology changes the way agriculture is done connectivity becomes more crucial.
In an effort to make that happen, U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse co-sponsored a bill called the Deployment Accuracy & Technological Availability Act, or DATA Act …
NEWHOUSE … “The Act is simply an effort to help identify those areas that don’t have coverage in our rural communities.”
But, Newhouse says recent events have highlighted the importance of connectivity …
NEWHOUSE … “You know, the pandemic has challenged us in so many different ways, but one of the things that has truly come to light that, you know, those of us in rural communities already knew, that we already had an inequity in our ability to connect.”
Bottom line, Newhouse says, we need better …
NEWHOUSE … “Broadband is truly not adequate in many of our rural communities and so many different things being pushed to the internet, virtual meetings, schools, telemedicine, all of the things that require broadband capabilities. Plus, many people are working from home and so that requires an internet connection.”
Newhouse says the DATA Act is just the first step in closing the digital divide for rural Americans, including those in rural Washington.
Tune in tomorrow for more.
