[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 39 (Thursday, April 7, 2005)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E585] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] INTRODUCTION OF THE RURAL ACCESS TO BROADBAND SERVICES ACT OF 2005 ______ HON. MARK UDALL of colorado in the house of representatives Wednesday, April 6, 2005 Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to expand broadband access into rural areas so that millions of Americans in this country are not left behind in our increasingly information-dependent society. I am introducing this bill with my colleague from Colorado, Rep. John Salazar, and I greatly appreciate his support. History has shown us that improvements in information-sharing have resulted in increased productivity, a better-educated society, and the growth of technology. The development and mainstream use of the Internet has changed how we conduct business and how we provide community services, and has revolutionized information sharing throughout the world. The benefits the Internet has provided are invaluable. However, access to this technology has created a divide between haves and have- nots in our country. High speed broadband Internet is commonplace in most urban and suburban areas. Yet although nearly a quarter of the nation's population lives in rural America, rural access to broadband is either nonexistent or extremely costly. Many rurally based industries are dependent on the rapid transfers of information. Being able to utilize broadband technologies would increase their productivity, efficiency, and in turn, profits. For example, accurate and timely weather predictions allow farmers to better gauge the necessary rate of fertilizer application necessary or use of irrigation to maximize their crop yield. Broadband technologies make in-depth predictions of temperature and rainfall accessible by any farmer throughout the world. Hospitals are dependent on being able to send and receive information in order to save lives. However, many rural hospitals can barely afford to provide basic health services to their patients, let alone pay for access to broadband technology if it is even available. Schools in rural areas are also at a disadvantage without access to the Internet. As students leave these schools to study at universities or to compete in the workforce, they start at a disadvantage to other students who have been educated from kindergarten with constant access to the information available online. Comparisons have been drawn between broadband and the rural electrification. It took assistance from government and industry to bring electricity to rural areas in the 1930s. That kind of assistance is what is needed today to bridge the digital divide. Congress passed legislation in 2002 establishing a grant and loan program within the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to help fund broadband deployment in rural areas. But the broadband program is oversubscribed and underfunded. The president's FY06 request is down 34% from FY05 levels of $545 million. We need to push for funding for the RUS broadband program, but that isn't enough. Providing access to broadband technologies in rural America is an expensive endeavor for telecommunication companies. The cost of establishing a network to rural areas is hard to recover simply through subscriber fees. Most companies require an incentive before making such an investment. My bill, similar to the bill my colleague from Colorado, Senator Salazar, recently introduced, provides that necessary incentive. First, my bill provides a tax incentive for companies that invest in broadband access in rural regions of our country. Specifically, broadband providers can expense the cost of equipment for, installation of, or connection to broadband services in the first year of service. It also encourages the development of ``next generation'' technology, typically more expensive, through the same type of incentive. My bill also supports research in technologies that enhance broadband service and provide more effective and less expensive service to rural areas. It directs the National Science Foundation to conduct research into both the availability and access of broadband technologies. Research into advanced technologies that can provide telephone, cable television, and Internet service will enable the same equipment to provide these services and hopefully reduce costs in the process, allowing increased access. Finally, my bill creates an office in the Department of Commerce to coordinate federal resources relating to rural broadband access. In the past, several agencies have been involved with the development and deployment of broadband. This office will provide a central point within the government to monitor this effort and reduce overlap within other agencies. I believe this is important legislation that will provide rural regions the tools they need to increase economic opportunity and improve their quality of life. I look forward to working with my colleagues on this important legislation. ____________________