Jobs & Economy

The Need for Broadband Investment

As "broadband" or high speed internet expands, Senator Rockefeller believes so do our possibilities. High-speed Iinternet is now essential for our health care system, our educational opportunities, and our economy. For 10 years, Senator Rockefeller has been working to develop a nationwide strategy for universal access to high-speed broadband - something that is particularly important for rural, historically-underserved areas in West Virginia.

As part of those efforts, Senator Rockefeller hosted a broadband summit in Beckley that brought together business and technology leaders, economic development leaders and West Virginia officials to begin laying the groundwork for broadband deployment throughout the state. To encourage the development of broadband services by the private sector in our state, Senator Rockefeller authored legislation that would make it easier for telephone companies to upgrade their existing service networks without having to go through years of red-tape seeking federal approval.

Broadband service also holds tremendous promise to improve access to health care specialists through cutting edge telemedicine programs. Senator Rockefeller and FCC Chairman Kevin Martin announced an $8.4 million grant to the West Virginia Telehealth Alliance to begin developing a statewide telehealth program. Eventually, the service will be hosted on Internet2 - the nationwide backbone that connects a number of government research institutions, as well as academic, public and private health care institutions.

On the federal level, Rockefeller has offered legislation that would eliminate broadband disparity through tax incentives and grants that promote expanding broadband services and infrastructure investments. He is also the sponsor of a resolution in the Senate which states that the U.S. should develop a comprehensive broadband policy, and that it should be the goal of the U.S. to bring next generation broadband networks capable of delivering 100 megabits of capacity to each and every American.

And, together with telecommunications companies and Governor Manchin, Rockefeller is identifying ways to expand broadband access in the state, including Verizon's recent commitment to map West Virginia and identify areas that lack broadband services.