Americans need advanced connectivity more than ever as they work and learn from home. To meet that need, local deployment review can’t stand in the way. We need to get the right policies in place to make this future a reality.

As state lawmakers begin to consider changes, R Street’s annual broadband scorecard offers a comparative look at every state’s existing laws and highlights areas for improvement. No two states face the exact same challenges or have the same regulatory environment, and legislators will need to consider existing laws and the specific needs of their constituents carefully.

One sad thing all Montanans share: Horrible broadband – We rank dead last — 50th in the nation — for broadband internet access.

Even in some of our largest communities, the investment in broadband infrastructure is either non-existent or so spotty that it is not even worth trying to make a call or send an email.

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Federal Permitting Process Slows Rural Broadband Expansion