Senators Collins, Manchin Push for More Broadband Hotspots

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) called on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to work with broadband service providers and Congress to increase access to mobile broadband hotspots across rural America.

“The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has thrown into stark relief the digital divide in our country. As millions of Americans work from home, chatting over video with colleagues thousands of miles away, sending emails, and going about their lives and livelihoods, there are still tens of millions – including thousands in our states of West Virginia and Maine – that lack access to even reliable cell service,” wrote Senators Collins and Manchin.  “While the lack of reliable broadband access has often been presented as a long-term infrastructure issue, the current pandemic has made the short-term challenges imposed on businesses, families, and others from mandatory school closures and business interruptions even more acutely felt. Seniors can’t reach a doctor, students can’t finish a lesson, and small business owners can’t complete an order. Mobile broadband hotspots are uniquely capable of meeting these immediate needs now while we continue to work together on addressing the longer-term challenges.”

Specifically, the Senators urged Chairman Pai to work with the companies that stepped up by taking the Keep Americans Connected Pledge to provide a comprehensive report on the current distribution of hotspots to understand where hotspots have been deployed, where they will be deployed, and where they could be deployed with help from the federal government to improve access for more Americans who lack affordable, reliable broadband service during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Click HERE to read the full letter.