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House Democrats Thursday expanded their more than $80 billion plan to
connect all Americans to affordable broadband. Top Dems, including Frank
Pallone, Jr. of NJ, Chairman of the Energy & Commerce Committee,
and Congressman James Clyburn of SC, House Majority Whip and Chairman of
the House Democratic Rural Broadband Task Force, said they welcome
recent reports that Republicans support the inclusion of broadband
investment in the next coronavirus response packages.
The House Democratic Plan to Connect All Americans to Affordable
Broadband Internet invests $80 billion over five years to deploy secure
and resilient broadband infrastructure to connect unserved and
underserved rural, suburban, and urban areas. If passed, $5 billion over
five years would be invested for low-interest financing of broadband
deployment through a new program, so providers could apply for secured
loans, lines of credit, or loan guarantees to finance broadband
infrastructure build outs.
It also includes Dig Once, which promotes the installation of broadband
conduit during the construction of any road receiving federal funding.
The Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth would be established
within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to
streamline the application processes for broadband funding programs. Continue Reading
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