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The National Grange Calls on FCC to Ensure Rural Underserved
Gain Broadband Access
(Washington, DC)- The National Grange, the nation’s oldest general farm and rural public interest organization, called upon the Federal Communications Commission this week to ensure that underserved communities, particularly those in rural and tribal areas, are adequately served by broadband internet as part of that agency’s Notice of Inquiry regarding the formation of a National Broadband Plan. From its filing:
“Rural Americans represent one of the largest groups of Americans who physically do not have the option to subscribe to broadband service. To address the broadband access needs of these unserved rural Americans, it is critically important to first identify whom these individuals, family farmers and small businesses are and where they are located.”
“A National Broadband Plan should also address the need for competition in delivering broadband to all Americans. Competition will lead to wider access, lower prices and better service in answer to the inquiry in Paragraph #49 of the NOI. However, in response to Paragraph #48, we need to ensure that the federal, state and local governments do not adopt regulations that would discourage competition and investment by the private sector.” |
CLICK HERE to link to the National Grange’s entire filing:
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The National Grange is the nation's oldest general farm and rural public interest organization. Originally founded in 1867, today the Grange represents nearly 200,000 grassroots Grange members affiliated with 2,700 local, county and state Grange chapters located in 40 states. Grange members provide service to agriculture and rural communities on a wide variety of issues, including economic development, education, family endeavors, and legislation designed to assure a strong and viable rural America.
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