Rural Broadband Coalition Begins Congressional 
Agenda Promoting Rural Access To High-Speed Internet

    This week, representatives of the Rural Broadband Coalition (RBC) canvassed Capitol Hill announcing RBC's formation and the Coalition's interest in working with Congress to promote policies to bring high-speed, high capacity (Broadband) access to rural America.

    Timing of RBC's Congressional visits coincided with the announcement of Senator John McCain's (R-AZ), Chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, agenda to address broadband accessibility in rural communities.

    Rural America, which is home to nearly a quarter of the nation's population, comprises 75 percent of this nation's landmass. Competition and active participation in today's vigorous new economy requires not only a computer, but also high-speed, high-capacity (Broadband) access to information and data on the Internet.

    While the Internet is changing the world economy, large parts of rural America are losing out on jobs, economic development and civic participation because of inadequate access to broadband. Traversing vast expanses of remote and often rugged topography presents unique financial and technological barriers.

    Offices were informed of RBC's key priority in Congress -- continued and increased funding for federal loan/grant programs. "RBC believes rural communities can determine the best delivery system to fit their needs, but without financing it is a mute issue," said Damian Kunko, CEO of RBC.

    RBC is a technology and provider neutral, advocacy and service organization comprised of stakeholders dedicated to the proliferation of broadband in underserved communities. The group intends to lobby the federal government for universal broadband Internet access for rural communities, on behalf of rural Internet providers, technology companies, telecommunication companies, consumer and investor owned utilities and tribal communities.

    RBC will: 
· Promote open access, competition and innovation at the federal/state level for rural broadband Internet access; 
· Encourage both public/private investment and partnerships in developing rural broadband Internet access; 
· Develop value-added communication channels to provide member value with timely updates and publications relevant to the industry; and 
· Establish forums for discussion of rural broadband Internet access through conferences and other events suited towards facilitating technical and policy knowledge dissemination.

    To view recent RBC Congressional Correspondence, please go to: http://www.ruralbroadbandcoalition.net/correspondence.html

By Robert Hoskins