Legislation that would remove barriers to expanding broadband internet service into rural areas has moved to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk for his signature.
If House Bill 2438 becomes law, it will allow rural electric cooperatives, cable companies, or any organization that wants to run broadband cable for high-speed internet service to use existing infrastructure and easements held by rural electric cooperatives.
“There are many challenges to providing high-speed internet service in rural communities like ours, and one of those is the regulatory red tape that slows down progress and increases costs,” Rep. Clint Owlett’s (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter), who introduced the bill, said. “Broadband deployment is still a slow and costly process, but this bill is a significant step in the right direction,” he said. “We are also working on a bill to provide funding to support a variety of efforts.”
Senate Bill 835 would address funding by establishing the Unserved High-Speed Broadband Funding Program.
The repeal of the Mobile Telecommunications Broadband Investment Tax Credit would fund the program. The credit, which is available to mobile telecommunication providers for the investment of broadband equipment, is limited to $5 million annually.
If the bill becomes law, it will take effect in 60 days.