“That is why the Federal Communications Commission is pursuing a ‘100 percent’ broadband policy.
An expensive problem
The digital divide is a problem thatpolicymakers have been trying to solve for decades.
Building networks in rural America is incredibly expensive, and in some places it’s nearly impossible.
The terrain can be a problem, with mountain ranges or inclement weather making deployment difficult and more costly.
But the bigger barrier in rural and tribal regions is more often due to low population density.
Broadband providers simply won’t offer service if they can’t get enough customers to pay for it.
The way the FCC has structured its wireless spectrum auctions has also compounded this economic problem.
The result is apersistent gap in coverage, with rural and tribal communities perpetually being left out.
This new program will help fix that by building better incentives.”
These incentives include offering longer license terms on spectrum, extensions on build-out obligations, and more-flexible construction requirements.
