On the Hill
By
| April 27, 2007
With all this talk about the need for legislating a national broadband policy, here’s a broadband bill the cable industry can actually get behind. Reps Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced legislation Thurs to reform the USDA‘s RUS Broadband Loan Program, which cable complains has strayed from Congress’ intention of providing loans to broadband providers in unserved rural areas. Under the bill, the total cost of a project for rural areas where 50% or more of HHs are unserved would be eligible for a loan. If less than 50% are unserved, the loan would only cover the costs associated with offering service to homes with no access.