Democrats are pushing a $40 billion plan to bring the best Internet access to rural America

The Democratic Party is making high-speed Internet access a new plank in its economic agenda as it tries to regain trust among middle-class Americans in the country’s heartland.

Democratic lawmakers are calling for $40 billion in new federal funding for infrastructure projects for rural and tribal areas and other regions, whose access to fast, affordable broadband has lagged behind that of dense, urban areas. The proposal, unveiled Thursday, would have Internet providers compete for the right to build out the networks. Also local governments and cooperatives would be eligible for funding, according to a party white paper on the matter.

By Brian Fung

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/09/28/democrats-are-pushing-a-40-billion-plan-to-bring-the-best-internet-access-to-rural-america/?utm_term=.cfd73c12488b