Wittman urges more broadband access for rural areas

U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman is urging President Trump to include policies that promote broadband investments in any upcoming infrastructure package.

In a letter to the president, the Republican congressman, whose 1st District includes much of the Fredericksburg region, said high-speed internet access “is critical to economic growth, job creation, education and health care.” He said improving access to broadband must be a priority as Congress and the Trump administration address infrastructure needs.

King George County residents have been saying the same in recent years. The county is part of three different groups studying ways to provide internet service in rural areas.

One of them is the Rural Broadband Task Force, which Wittman helped organize, and he also attended its first meeting in October. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai was there, along with regional stakeholders and state and local officials.

The group discussed ways to eliminate the labyrinth of red tape and regulations, change “dig once” and easement policies and strengthen public-private partnerships.

Currently, almost half of rural Virginians lack access to high-speed internet and another 29 percent don’t have any internet service at all, according to Wittman’s office. They’re among more than 34 million Americans “being left on the sidelines” as internet access has changed from being a luxury item to a daily necessity.

There are also economic benefits to improving broadband access.

“It is estimated that for every percentage point increase in broadband investment, 300,000 new jobs are created,” Wittman wrote in his letter.

In addition to the task force, King George also is working with the Center for Innovative Technology in Herndon, which will provide free consulting worth $50,000. As part of the pilot project, the center will survey needs and offer solutions.

The county also joined a regional group studying how the Pamunkey Indian tribe in King William County might set up a business model to provide internet service in some of Virginia’s most rural areas.