[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5944]
[From the U.S. 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.

                          ____________________