High-speed Web access planned with state bill

The state House on Sunday unanimously passed a bill aimed at improving access to high-speed Internet for rural and inner-city areas of Pennsylvania. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Butler Township, heads to the Senate for consideration.

“In the 21st century it’s impossible for schools, businesses and the average person to compete without access to fast, reliable Internet service,” Eachus said. “Unfortunately, some areas of our state are being left behind when it comes to access to high-speed Internet services, and my legislation creates a reasonable, comprehensive plan of action to get service where it is needed and provide state oversight of the process.”

House Bill 1490 would bring together Internet service providers, the workers who install the lines and systems and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to create a map of current service and a long-term plan to offer service to underserved areas, including an annual progress report to the Legislature.

“I believe this will be a perfect example of how a public-private partnership can get the job done and get as many people connected as possible,” Eachus said.

The bill calls for a mapping of the state’s broadband access areas. Once the holes are located, the next step would be to work with Internet and cable companies to encourage them to enter those areas. Future bills would be needed to establish funding sources and plan how municipalities and Internet providers could access the funds to establish high speed Internet across the state.

“It’s not going to happen overnight, but this was an important step in the process,” Eachus spokesman Bob Caton said.

Caton said the bill essentially would treat high-speed Internet as a public utility rather than a public service. He said schools, libraries, municipal offices and businesses would benefit.

Though most of Luzerne County has access to broadband Internet, large swaths of the state’s northern tier, including chunks of Wyoming, Susquehanna, Sullivan, Wayne and Bradford counties do not.

Cable and Internet companies currently don’t have “a clear and present financial incentive to run lines out to the middle of nowhere.” This bill lays the groundwork for offering that incentive.

“This is the rural electrification of the modern day, and just like that effort reinvented new areas of our nation, this effort will lead to a diverse, powerful network of new entrepreneurs and leaders to make our state a better place to live, from rural counties to the hearts of our largest cities,” Eachus said.