“Generations ago, the federal government recognized that without affordable access to electricity, Americans couldn’t fully participate in modern society and the modern economy. Broadband internet is the new electricity,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “It is necessary for Americans to do their jobs, to participate equally in school learning, health care, and to stay connected,” Vilsack said last week during a group announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Federal Communications Commission, and the National Telecommunications, and Information Administration. The three groups have entered an interagency agreement to coordinate the distribution of broadband deployment federal funds. In accordance with the Broadband Interagency Coordination Act, agency leaders pledged that they will consult with each other and share information about the distribution of the FCC’s rural broadband programs; the USDA’s Rural Utilities Services grant/loan programs; and NTIA programs.
Source: Parsons Sun
