Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) introduced a bill last week to improve broadband access nationwide.
The Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act would amend the Communications Act of 1934 to accelerate the process to implement telecommunications and broadband equipment in public and railroad rights-of-way.
According to Blackburn’s press release, rights-of-way are corridors alongside public roads and railroad tracks where utilities can install infrastructure.
In a public right-of-way, the bill proposal would require broadband providers to work with state and local governments to determine the types of services they are authorized to perform. Once cleared, providers will notify rail carriers and choose a time to complete the work.
The bill proposal says the work can start between 15 and 30 days after notifying the railroad, unless both sides agree to something else.
Railroad carriers are not allowed to charge providers for completing work on public rights-of-way, the bill proposal noted.
On a railroad carrier-owned right-of-way, providers must obtain the company’s permission before installing equipment.
The railroad can only deny the project if it impedes or damages railroad infrastructure and causes safety concerns for passengers and railroad employees, according to the bill proposal.
Railroads must decide within 60 days, the bill proposal says.
If this bill were to pass, it would help expand broadband access to rural areas. The United States Department of Agriculture said over 22 percent of Americans living in rural areas lack broadband coverage. Compared to urban areas, only 1.5 percent of people lack broadband coverage.
Blackburn said having “access to reliable, high-speed telecommunications and broadband is a necessity for working families, schools, and businesses.”
“The Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act would cut red tape to streamline the installation of telecommunications and broadband equipment in public and railroad rights-of-way, expanding essential connectivity for rural communities in Tennessee and across America,” she stated.
Luján said the bill proposal “streamlines broadband construction along rail corridors to help connect regions that have long been underserved.”
The bill proposal has the backing of organizations such as the Competitive Carriers Association, the Wireless Infrastructure Association, and the Fiber Broadband Association.
Tim Donovan, CEO of the Competitive Carriers Association, said the bill proposal will eliminate “barriers to broadband deployment.”
“Excessive delays, arbitrary fees, and increased costs surrounding broadband deployments around and across rail lines have long presented significant obstacles for CCA members working to close the digital divide in rural and underserved areas,” he stated.
“The RAIL Act brings greater certainty to an otherwise inconsistent process, providing needed reforms to cut through challenges that frustrate the building, expansion, and maintenance of America’s mobile and fixed broadband networks,” the CEO added.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at zschmidt1717@gmail.com.
Photo “Marsha Blackburn” by Marsha Blackburn.
