Better Connecting Rural America

by SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

Our nation has experienced a difficult year because of house, thanks to USDA’s Community Connect program. The the coronavirus pandemic, and this has forced Americans to Stemples are one of 1,300 households and approximately reckon with the digital divide in our country. 3,500 people in the proposed funded service area.

With the new norm of telework, virtual learning, and The Community Connect Program has historically been telehealth appointments, affordable and reliable service is a utilized source of funding for broadband projects in the state; more critical than ever. however, between 2011 and 2015, there were no successful

While we’ve seen progress, awards or applications submitted in too many West Virginians still lack the state. access to high speed broadband. Introducing state and local

I’ve always said if we can governments to the federal communicate with humans on the opportunities available is an moon, surely we can find a way important part of my job, and it’s to deliver reliable broadband here a key part of the Capito Connect on Planet Earth. This is one of initiative. the reasons I launched my Capito Since the launch of my Capito Connect initiative in 2015 as a way to Connect initiative, both applications tackle this. and awards for the Community

The three-part plan accomplishes Connect program have increased. this goal by understanding the In the last four years, multiple benefits of connectivity, fostering applications for funding have been collaboration between government submitted, and there have been four and the private sector, and promoting successful applications totaling economic growth through innovation. nearly $11 million.

Since launching this initiative, I Now, Beverly and Jeff can have taken several steps to increase effectively work from home and connectivity and bridge the digital If we can communicate communicate online with loved ones divide. I’ve heard from thousands of West Virginians during a state-wide listening tour, hosted roundtable with humans on the moon, surely we can who live far away. Coronavirus has also put a premium on telehealth services. Just discussions, released a guidebook find a way to deliver last week, I visited Lincoln Primary to help communities understand the federal resources available, and coached West Virginians on these reliable broadband here on Planet Earth. Care Center (LPCC) that received an FCC telehealth grant. With this grant, LPCC was able to purchase telehealth opportunities. “terminals” – specialized computer

The reality is that broadband stations for online checkups. in rural areas like West Virginia is extremely expensive Telehealth is reducing costs and improving outcomes and buildout takes more time to complete because of our for patients everywhere. Because of the pandemic, we better mountainous terrain. But even with these obstacles, I’ve been understand how important telehealth is to bring high-quality working to leverage federal resources to help produce this care directly to patients in their homes. infrastructure. So, what’s next? How can we build on this progress?

The Trump Administration has made rural broadband a How do we apply the lessons we’ve learned during COVID priority, and several agencies have stepped up to the plate to to strengthen connectivity? help, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)and One major undertaking is improving broadband maps the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). with more granular data. Far too often, these maps show

Last month, I was in rural Preston County witnessing the rural areas that are “covered,” but we know—by living in and installation of broadband service in Beverly and Jeff Stemple’s driving through these areas—that this is not the case.

This data collection and correction is a tedious but as infrastructure. A “dig once” approach would save time crucial step, as these data maps often determine funding and money: as improvements are being made to roads and levels and what areas get prioritized. highways, fiber conduit should be installed simultaneously.

As co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, I coThe good news is this connectivity conundrum affects sponsored the Broadband DATA Act, which President nearly every state, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle Trump signed into law in are eager to work on solutions March. together.

This law will lead to the This connectivity conundrum I expect investments in creation of a singular federal broadband map with new, more granular data collected affects nearly every state, and lawmakers on both sides of broadband — particularly for schools and medical providers — to be part of any future by the FCC and shared with the aisle are eager to work on coronavirus relief package. other federal agencies that provide broadband funding solutions together. Perhaps one upside of this pandemic is that it has made us support, like NTIA and USDA. better appreciate the time we Furthermore, it creates a challenging process for state and can physically spend with each other. local governments, consumers, and third parties to submit That human connection is so important, which makes their own data to more accurately reflect the coverage in our work on broadband all the more important now. Housetheir areas. Lastly, the bill requires a regular audit of the by-house and mile-by-mile, I’ll continue working to close the data submitted by providers and allows for crowdsourcing digital divide in West Virginia and across the country. RF to verify and supplement coverage data submitted by providers. Shelley Moore Capito is the Junior U.S. Senator from the

Another step forward would be dovetailing road State of West Virginia. She serves as Co-chair of the Senate infrastructure with fiber buildout. We all recognize broadband Broadband Caucus.

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