One significant factor is that federal policy at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) limits the type of broadband technology that is available for rural areas.

Today, the technology exists to utilize an unused portion of the telecommunications spectrum to serve broadband to rural communities. Known as “TV white space,” this spectrum already reaches 80 percent of the underserved rural population. Unfortunately, the FCC has not enacted the necessary regulations that would allow TV white space to be used at a meaningful scale.

Not only is this technology mature and available for use, it’s also affordable. A study conducted by Microsoft estimates that using TV white space to deliver broadband Internet in rural areas would be 80 percent cheaper than fiber optic cable, and 50 percent cheaper than LTE wireless technology.

The only thing holding up the availability of broadband delivery via TV white space is for the federal regulations to catch up.

This is a perfect opportunity for Washington DC to contradict their usual lethargic reputation. By updating federal regulations regarding the telecommunications spectrum, the FCC can help introduce a new technology where it’s needed most. And at the same time unlock new opportunities for hundreds of thousands of Montanans and millions of rural Americans.

At Senator Daines’s Montana High Tech Jobs Summit at the beginning of October, speaker after speaker identified the lack of high speed Internet access as a major impediment to Montana’s burgeoning technology economy. For all those participants, and the thousands of other Montanans who care about improving broadband access, here’s your chance. Contact the FCC and let them know you support modernizing the telecomm spectrum regulations to allow for the utilization of TV white space.

Rep. Daniel Zolnikov represents House District 45, which includes Roundup and parts of Billings. He is the chairman of the House Energy, Technology, & Federal Relations Committee.

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