USDA: BROADBAND: A bridge of opportunity

July 06, 2006 05:30 pm

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

USDA is committed to equipping rural America with tools to remain vibrant and competitive. One of the ways we do this is through our broadband program. Broadband is as fundamental to the future of rural communities as railroads were in the 19th century and highways were in the 20th century. It is a window to the world, eroding barriers of time and distance, giving rural and small town businesses access to worldwide markets.

Broadband levels the playing field and allows individuals to live locally while competing globally. With broadband, smaller communities are more competitive economically than they have been in previous years. For these reasons, President Bush has established a national goal of ensuring every American has access to broadband service by 2007.

The Rural Development Broadband Program is new. Authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill, it began operation in 2003 and has already provided access to over 1.5 million rural homes and businesses. In FY 2006, an additional $900 million is available for rural broadband projects. Recognizing that every community is unique — one size does not fit all — the program is technology neutral. In its first three years, the broadband program has already approved applications involving digital subscriber lines (DSL), hybrid fiber coax, fiber to the home, wireless broadband, and broadband over power lines. The list will grow as broadband technology continues to evolve.

The program offers both loans and grants. Broadband loans are designed to provide access to rural residents and businesses on a normal commercial basis. These are complemented by the Community Connect, Distance Learning, and Telemedicine Programs, which provide grant assistance to install critical community facilities.

Bringing broadband services to rural areas does present special challenges. Due to low population density, the cost of service is, on average, three times higher for rural customers. Availability and affordability cannot be separated.

These problems can be overcome, but with millions of taxpayers’ dollars at stake, USDA Rural Development has a responsibility to ensure the taxpayers and local residents are not saddled with bad loans. In West Virginia, call toll free 1-800-295-8228.

Thomas Dorr,

Under Secretary for Rural Development

U.S. Department of Agriculture


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BROADBAND over POWER LINES: new 200 Mbps Technology !!!