FCC: “Federal regulators took steps Thursday [8-3-17] to close the digital divide in rural America, moving to reshape two subsidy programs that they say haven’t been as effective as needed.
Expanding access to broadband in hard-to-serve areas across the U.S. has proved a challenge for years, not only because of costs, but also because of the rapidly changing technology itself.
Lawmakers praised the Federal Communications Commission’s move but noted that regulatory action can only go so far given that big new investments would still have to be authorized by Congress to bridge the divide. Some are expecting the Trump administration to include broadband expansion in a detailed infrastructure proposal in early September. Efforts to move an infrastructure bill through Congress have stalled so far this year.”
-John D. McKinnon, “FCC Revamps Programs to Bridge Rural Digital Divide,” The Wall Street Journal online, Aug. 3, 2017 06:32pm