Maine, Nevada senators eye expanded rural broadband

BANGOR, Maine (AP) - A pair of senators has proposed providing up to $15 billion in matching grants to help expand rural broadband access.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada said Wednesday they are calling their proposal the “American Broadband Buildout Act.” They said the grants would be used to help states and state-approved entities build “’last-mile’ infrastructure to bring high-speed broadband directly to homes and businesses in areas that lack it.”

The senators said the projects must be located in unserved areas where broadband isn’t available at speeds that meet federal standards. They also said the money made available via the bill would be matched through public-private partnerships between service providers and states.

Collins said expanded broadband access is especially important in largely rural states, like Maine.