S. 1617: Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2025

The bill, called the "Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2025," aims to enhance broadband connectivity for agricultural producers in underserved areas. The primary feature of the bill is the creation of the "Last Acre Program," which is designed to improve internet access specifically for those involved in agriculture, thereby facilitating the use of precision agriculture techniques and expanding overall connectivity in rural environments.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of the Last Acre Program: This program will focus on delivering better broadband accessibility to agricultural producers, particularly on underserved land. The goal is to support modern agricultural practices that rely on internet connectivity.
• Data Collection Mandate: The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct updated surveys to collect detailed information about broadband usage across farms. This includes gathering data on subscription status, internet speeds, and the various purposes for which internet is used, including precision agriculture applications.

Objectives

• To improve internet connectivity in rural agricultural areas.
• To support precision agriculture technologies that require reliable internet access.
• To gather comprehensive data on the current state of broadband availability and usage among farms, which will inform future efforts to enhance connectivity.

Impact on Agriculture

By improving broadband access, the bill seeks to enable farmers to leverage technology more effectively, which can lead to increased productivity and efficiency in agricultural practices. Enhanced connectivity can also facilitate better communication and information sharing among farmers and agricultural experts.

Relevant Companies

• AMT (American Tower Corporation): This company might be significantly impacted through the potential increase in demand for telecommunication infrastructure in rural areas as broadband access expands under this program.
• CSCO (Cisco Systems, Inc.): They may see an impact due to the enhanced need for networking equipment to support improved broadband services in agricultural settings.
• T (AT&T Inc.): As a major telecommunications provider, AT&T could be directly affected by the expanded efforts to provide broadband in rural agricultural locations.