Trump signs order to promote broadband in rural areas

[Swordsmyth]

Earlier this year Trump commented (https://www.engadget.com/2017/06/22/trump-infrastructure-proposal-rural-broadband-expansion/) on his "$1 trillion infrastructure proposal", but this latest order doesn't appear to offer any funding to promote broadband in rural areas. Instead, it expedites federal permitting requirements, essentially removing governmental bottlenecks for broadband companies looking to install and operate wireless towers in these places. Trump signed the order in front of nearly 5,000 American Farm Bureau Federation members in Nashville, telling them, "Those towers are going to go up, and you're going to have great, great broadband."

More at: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/president-trump-signs-order-promote-144400406.html

[Zippyjuan]

But will companies find it worth their while? https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-06-09/technology-is-improving-so-why-is-rural-broadband-access-still-a-problem


It is still more efficient for telecommunications companies to install new communications lines in areas with high population density. This is basic economics related to how many customers there are to share fixed installation costs. There are typically around 2,000 people per square mile in urban areas versus 10 in some rural areas.

When companies switched data traffic from copper lines to more efficient and reliable fiber-optic ones, they did so first in the more profitable urban areas. Despite the many improvements in technology over the years, laying new line for wired internet connections still requires a significant amount of manual labor. Companies must weigh the cost of every mile laid against the expected profits from those lines. This works against rural areas, with fewer potential customers per mile.

For areas still served by copper wire, sending data at high speeds has distance limitations: The signals typically degrade after three miles. To get data traveling longer distances to and through rural areas, companies must install signal-amplifying equipment called "access multipliers." That adds to the cost of serving rural customers.

Along these same lines, there is more competition among broadband providers in urban areas. Over 60 percent of the urban population has access to at least three wireline providers – a diversity of choice available to just 19 percent of rural residents. This competition can lead to lower prices and improved services for consumers – which, when they happen, ultimately raise adoption rates.

[pcosmar]

But will companies find it worth their while? ]

Minimal effort,, but apparently they hire the lazy.

Copper lines are already strung in most places,, and just not used.
Was like that in Michigan..
Had to show the idiots that phone lines carried internet.

[Swordsmyth]

But will companies find it worth their while? https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-06-09/technology-is-improving-so-why-is-rural-broadband-access-still-a-problem

The market will decide, which is infinitely better than government deciding.

[timosman]

Had to show the idiots that phone lines carried internet.

What were they looking for? Tubes? :cool:

[pcosmar]

What were they looking for? Tubes? :cool:

I had a phone line..
had Dial up,,, No DSL..

Had idiots.

[phill4paul]

Pretty sure I remember these companies getting billions from taxpayers already and using that money for buying out competition instead of infrastructure.

[sparebulb]

Pretty sure I remember these companies getting billions from taxpayers already and using that money for buying out competition instead of infrastructure.

No, you are mistaken.

We've always been at war with Eastasia.

[pcosmar]

Pretty sure I remember these companies getting billions from taxpayers already and using that money for buying out competition instead of infrastructure.

I seem to remember some "stimulus" was ear marked for it..
They sure talk about it a lot,,,

[devil21]

No human unradiated.

[specsaregood]

So, eliminates federal regulatory burdens, costs us nothing, and fosters competition? Trump continues to impress.

[Zippyjuan]

So, eliminates federal regulatory burdens, costs us nothing, and fosters competition? Trump continues to impress.

The order itself doesn't actually do anything- like most of his executive orders. It suggests things he would like to see done.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-executive-order-streamlining-expediting-requests-locate-broadband-facilities-rural-america/


To implement this policy and enable sustainable rural broadband infrastructure projects, executive departments and agencies (agencies) should seek to reduce barriers to capital investment, remove obstacles to broadband services, and more efficiently employ Government resources.

[oyarde]

I could use some competition out here in the sticks . Doubtful it would happen , but sure do not need the govt standing in the way ......