Sioux City Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 26, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) introduced the Rural Broadband Modernization Act, which will provide grants and loans to rural communities to help expand rural broadband access, construct the necessary infrastructure for broadband deployment, and increase minimum broadband speeds in rural areas.

This legislation will specifically update obsolete broadband upload and download speeds – first approved in the 2018 Farm Bill – in the ReConnect program that reflect the urgent need for faster internet capabilities in rural communities. At a minimum, as established by this bill, broadband service in rural communities should deliver 100 megabits per second for both upload and download speeds.

“Access to high-speed, affordable internet is critical to the success of our rural communities and our long-term economic vitality. Reliable broadband connection ensures that our families can work from home, our farmers can effortlessly monitor commodity prices online, and our main street businesses can utilize the technology they need to serve their customers and make a living,” said Rep. Feenstra. “Born and raised in rural Iowa, I know that too many families and communities in the 4th Congressional District lack access to high-speed broadband, which is an absolute necessity in today’s interconnected economy. I am proud that my legislation – the Rural Broadband Modernization Act – will take real steps to connect more Iowans to the internet and ensure that upload and download speeds keep up with the demands of our families, farmers, and businesses in rural America.”

“Now, more than ever, it has become clear that broadband service is critical infrastructure in Iowa and across the United States,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “Improving the accessibility of these services to rural Iowans is, and will remain, one of my top priorities in Congress. I am proud to join this important piece of legislation and commend Congressman Feenstra for his leadership.”

“My constituents in Southern Illinois are all too familiar with how difficult it can be to get reliable, high-speed internet connection in smaller, rural communities,”said Rep. Bost. “This investment in modernizing our broadband infrastructure will help expand access for Americans who need it, empowering families and small business to better connect with each other and the world.”

“High-speed broadband is vital to our rural communities in Northwest Iowa, but too many families still lack access to reliable, affordable internet connection. That must change,” said Ryan Boone, CEO of Premier Communications. “We thank Congressman Feenstra for his work and leadership to expand rural broadband by equipping companies like Premier with the resources we need to connect more families, farmers, and businesses to high-speed internet.”

“Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative commends Congressman Feenstra for his commitment to expanding access to high-speed, affordable broadband in rural communities across Iowa,” said Vince Tyson, General Manager of Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative. “The Rural Broadband Modernization Act will equip local providers and rural communities with the resources that we need to deploy reliable internet to more families, farmers, and small businesses. We hope to see this legislation considered either in the upcoming Farm Bill or independently signed into law.”

“We applaud Representative Feenstra for introducing the Rural Broadband Modernization Act, and for continuously supporting ways to improve broadband deployment in Iowa,” said Dave Duncan, CEO of the Iowa Communications Alliance. “We believe this legislation will help ensure that rural Iowans will receive the same level of broadband services as those in urban areas and will be instrumental as we look to bring more Iowans online.”

“Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association appreciates Congressman Feenstra for his work to help local providers in Iowa connect more families and businesses to the internet,” said Mark Thoma, CEO of the Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association. “In the 21st century, reliable, affordable broadband is essential to everyday life. This legislation will accelerate internet speeds, equip more communities with broadband, promote economic development, and ensure that more Iowans can connect with the outside world.”

You can find legislative text HERE.

Original source can be found here.