By John Eggerton, Multichannel News, 4-14-21
A bipartisan bill has been introduced to speed broadband deployments by cutting right-of-way “red tape” in rural communities.
Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) have teamed up to introduce the Accelerating Rural Broadband Deployment Act, which they said will lead to easier and faster broadband installations.
Specifically, the bill would:
1. “Make it easier for broadband companies to receive federal-right-of-way licenses allowing them to install broadband alongside existing infrastructure like federal highways.
2. “Ensure costs of federal-right-of-way licenses are fair market prices.
3. “Increase transparency into the federal right-of-way license awarding process.” » Read More