This bill, the "Expanding Appalachia's Broadband Access Act," would require the Comptroller General of the United States (the Government Accountability Office) to complete a study and send the results to Congress within one year. The study must look at whether the Appalachian Regional Commission can include satellites in broadband projects. The study must (1) review satellite broadband capacity for business use, (2) evaluate economic development in places that used satellite broadband for businesses, and (3) analyze the cost-effectiveness of using satellites for economic development.
The bill itself does not change broadband services or start new projects. It directs a federal study to gather information that could inform future decisions about using satellite internet in Appalachian broadband projects.
No publicly available information. The bill text does not include funding amounts or a cost estimate for the required study.
The bill requires a formal study and report to Congress on satellite use in Appalachian broadband projects. Sponsors introduced the bill to get information on satellite capability, business use, economic effects, and cost-effectiveness.
No publicly available information.