Manchin questions FCC Chairman On Fixing Coverage Maps, Deploying Broadband Funds
Manchin questioned Chairman Pai on funding needed to fix current broadband coverage maps and the deployment of funding to expand broadband access
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) questioned Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai on how much funding the FCC would need to fix the current broadband coverage maps, which have been proven to be incorrect, and the distribution of funding to expand broadband access during a Senate Appropriations Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Subcommittee Hearing.
“Broadband mapping to me is so serious because rural America, rural Appalachia especially is going to be left behind and the greatest need we have is broadband right now… We keep having this conversation about mapping, we know the maps aren’t accurate, we’re relying on the carriers right now and the carriers are showing broad areas of coverage that they don’t have. We’ve proven that… areas that really need help that’re showing they’re already covered are not going to have money dedicated to them. What I can say is that my state is hurting. We can’t even do telehealth in about 30-40% of our state. We’ve had to switch to audio telehealth and reimburse the doctors because there is no telehealth available, that’s how critical it is, and it’s a shame. Something has to be done,” said Senator Manchin.
To conduct a speed test please visit https://www.manchin.senate.gov/speedtest.
To watch Senator Manchin question FCC Chairman Pai, please click here.
To view a timeline of Senator Manchin’s efforts to expand broadband access, please click here.
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