Capito proposes bill to ensure verified providers bring broadband to rural areas

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) recently sponsored a bipartisan bill that would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a vetting process for prospective applicants seeking high-cost federal program funding to bring broadband service to America’s rural areas.

“By verifying that providers can actually deliver on the promises made to bring high-speed internet to specific areas, we can maximize the influx of broadband dollars coming to West Virginia and move closer toward our goal of closing the digital divide in communities of all sizes across our state,” Sen. Capito said in a Feb. 15 statement. “West Virginians keep their word, but it’s time internet service providers do the same.”

The Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2023, S. 275, which Sen. Capito introduced on Feb. 7 with original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), would provide safeguards for the Universal Service Funds high-cost programs by ensuring that funding goes to companies having a proven track record of success and a demonstrated sound judgment in deploying in hard-to-serve areas, according to a one-page bill summary provided by Sen. Capito’s office.

The FCC’s high-cost programs provide funding to telecom carriers to provide service in rural areas where the market alone cannot support the substantial cost of deploying network infrastructure and providing connectivity, the summary says.

“This legislation expands on my broadband efforts, and is a product of many discussions I’ve had with small rural service providers and local leaders in my state,” said Sen. Capito. “These discussions made it abundantly clear the FCC needs congressional direction to ensure taxpayer money is being used properly to fund broadband deployment in rural areas.”

USTelecom and NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association, endorsed S. 275, which has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

“In 2023, we should be able to bring high-speed internet to every community in our country, regardless of their ZIP code,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “This bipartisan legislation will help Americans connect to work, school, healthcare and business opportunities by ensuring the companies that apply for federal funding to build out broadband infrastructure can get the job done.”