S. 3633: Middle Mile for Rural America Act

This bill, titled the Middle Mile for Rural America Act, aims to enhance infrastructure necessary for internet connectivity in rural areas. Specifically, it amends existing legislation from the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, which initially focused on providing electricity to rural communities. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements of the bill:

Key Provisions

• Reauthorization of Infrastructure Expansion: The bill extends the time frame for expanding 'middle mile' infrastructure in rural areas from the years 2018 through 2023 to 2026 through 2031. This middle mile infrastructure refers to the portion of the network between the main internet backbone and the local networks that connect directly to homes and businesses.
• Focus on Rural Areas: The goal is to improve internet access for underserved and unserved rural communities, which often face challenges in obtaining reliable internet service compared to urban areas.
• Support for Connectivity: By expanding this infrastructure, the bill seeks to facilitate better access to high-speed internet, which can benefit economic development, education, healthcare, and overall quality of life in rural regions.

Intended Impact

The intended impact of the bill is to assist in bridging the digital divide that exists between urban and rural areas. By improving middle mile infrastructure, the bill aims to provide a more reliable and faster internet connection to rural residents, potentially leading to greater economic opportunities and improved access to services that rely on internet connectivity.

Implementation

The bill calls for government agencies to oversee and ensure the effective implementation of these infrastructure improvements and to monitor progress towards achieving enhanced internet access in rural communities.

Funding

Although the bill does not detail specific funding mechanisms, it may involve allocations from federal resources designated for rural development and internet connectivity enhancement. The focus will be on ensuring that the necessary resources are available to facilitate the deployment of this infrastructure.

Relevant Companies

• TWC (Charter Communications, Inc.): As a major telecommunications provider, Charter may expand its services in rural areas through improved infrastructure.
• CTL (Lumen Technologies, Inc.): This company provides various telecommunications services and may directly benefit from funding to enhance middle mile connectivity.
• VZ (Verizon Communications Inc.): As a leading provider of broadband services, Verizon could invest in infrastructure improvements as a result of this legislation.