WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IN
NORTH CAROLINA
Voices from the Mountains, Piedmont and Coast recognize the positive impact that fair, transparent utility pole processes can have on expanding broadband deployment across our state to help families, students, businesses, farms and more get connected.
Various leaders and organizations across the state have addressed this issue:
“This pandemic has emphasized the importance of high-speed internet for people across our state and it is critical that we continue increasing access in rural communities”
“Rural broadband remains a top priority of this General Assembly and our state is fortunate to have continued revenue availability to meet this need and make flexible budget adjustments as federal rules may require.”
“I appreciate the work put in by legislators and legislative staff, working with Gov. Cooper and his team, to reach this agreement. Expanding access to rural broadband is a shared priority…”
We need rural broadband in North Carolina to ensure equal opportunity and job growth!
“In the Telecommunications Act of 1996 Congress granted the FCC broad authority to craft regulations that balance the rights and responsibilities of pole owners with those who need to attach to them. Too often, however, the process of adding new broadband infrastructure to these poles has been inefficient and cumbersome. The process today routinely involves a complex web of owners and regulators across different jurisdictions that increases costs and delays – and even prevents – rural broadband buildout. Accordingly, I encourage the FCC to move quickly to clarify its existing rules regarding utility pole access.”
“In order for our students to succeed during this pandemic, and for our businesses to adjust and survive, we need to speed up our efforts for high-speed internet in every community.
Still today, we have a half-million North Carolinians with unreliable or without any high speed internet service.”
“Although agriculture has an estimated $87 billion impact on North Carolina’s economy, many farmers struggle to get affordable, high-speed internet service for their farm offices, which they need to communicate with customers, analyze and share data, and engage the commodities markets.”
“Access to adequate broadband and various telehealth services can allow local and distant health care providers to address and provide appropriate clinical interventions for the region’s primary health diseases such as cardiovascular disease, opioid use disorder, stroke and diabetes. Fostering an increase in broadband and telehealth adoption will improve health outcomes and create a healthier workforce, which will increase the health of the local economies and ensure the region flourishes.”