October 24, 2023
Advancing Our Rural Connectivity
Communication is the cornerstone of a prosperous future, and it was this imperative that brought together the Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee in Fayette County. Representatives Warner and Grimm Krupa recognize the urgent need for rural infrastructure expansion, and invited the Committee to hear from residents and experts who spoke to the benefits our interconnected future will bring. The hearing shed light on the pressing issue of unreliable connectivity faced by rural Pennsylvania residents, encompassing the lack of internet access and limited cellular service. This connectivity disparity hampers access to the many benefits of our hyperconnected modern world, and cannot be our status quo. The day’s hearing uncovered a deeper understanding of how the Commonwealth can address these challenges and seize the potential opportunities that come with improving rural connectivity.
The testifiers that joined the Policy Committee were as follows:
Community Connectivity Panel:
Gregg Downer - Supervisor, Luzerne Township
Richard Black - 911 GIS/Systems Manager, Fayette County Emergency Management Agency; Paramedic, Brownsville Ambulance Service; Fire Chief, Brownsville Fire Company No. 1
Questions for the Community Connectivity Panel
Broadband Connectivity Panel:
Brandon Carson - Executive Director, PA Broadband Development Authority
Andrew French - Executive Director, Redevelopment Authority of the County of Fayette
Questions for the Broadband Connectivity Panel
Cellphone Connectivity Panel:
Jeremy Crandall - Assistant Vice President, State Legislative Affairs, CTIA
Questions for the Cellphone Connectivity Panel
Gregg Downer, Supervisor of Luzerne Township, began by expressing that many residents and homes lack reliable internet and cellular access in the region. Those who do possess some degree of connectivity rely on aging landlines, which have not been adequately maintained. Sadly, much of this aging infrastructure is in varying states of disrepair, and local telecommunication providers have shown disinterest in repairing near-obsolete technologies.
Landline fraying and breakages compounded with the lack of cellular service, forcing residents to travel considerable distances to secure mobile coverage, creates real concerns for emergencies and 911 calls. On Mr. Downer’s drive to the day’s hearing he himself lost cell service three times, which is not uncommon throughout the region for residents and first responders alike. This loss of connectivity and reception is especially concerning around SCI Fayette, a state prison, as it impedes response of law enforcement and the alerting of residents to possible incidents.
Notably, the absence of reliable internet connection also impacted remote work opportunities for many rural residents in Luzerne Township. As COVID inspired many offices to allow working from home rural PA residents were unable to capitalize on this new opportunity. If a resident wanted reliable internet access they may need to use SpaceX's StarLink satellites, which represent the only viable but expensive option for some residents. In short, the connectivity problems facing the residents of Luzerne Township are an obstacle to their lives, safety, and potential prosperity.
“On my drive here, I lost cellular service three times!”
Gregg Downer
Supervisor, Luzerne Township |
Richard Black, speaking on behalf of local first responders, emphasized how the absence of reliable internet and cellular service has substantial repercussions on response times and capabilities. The 911 dispatch system relies on accurate address triangulation, which is often compromised due to inadequate cellular tower proximity. Access to more towers provides greater accuracy in response, particularly when EMS must work to find lost hikers or residents in particularly rural regions. Furthermore, without adequate reception the responding EMS are unable to communicate with the local hospital, taking valuable time away from both the initial response and the following hospital care. There are real-world examples of the lack of communication towers leading to delayed responses in reaching lost hikers within Ohiopyle State Park, and within portions of the park hikers have no means of finding any cellular reception. The absence of multiple towers in the region is not just a nuisance, but a liability to the health and safety of Mr. Downer’s community.
“Rural areas matter too. This is a safety concern for our residents.”
Richard Black
911 GIS/Systems Manager, Fayette County Emergency Management Agency; Paramedic, Brownsville Ambulance Service; Fire Chief, Brownsville Fire Company No. 1 |
Brandon Carson, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, provided a comprehensive overview of the connectivity situation in Pennsylvania. A staggering 330,000 homes and businesses in the Commonwealth lack access to reliable high-speed internet. Rural areas are dramatically overrepresented within this figure, with 81% of the homes and businesses lacking high-speed internet being within our rural communities. Fortunately, federal funding, including the Federal American Rescue Plan and the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, has allocated approximately $1.5 billion to expand high-speed internet infrastructure throughout Pennsylvania. The obstacles to addressing our connectivity concerns are no longer financial, and now is the time to coordinate a buildout of the necessary infrastructure.
Mr. Carson emphasized the need for diverse technologies such as fiber-optic, coaxial cable, and fixed wireless connections to address the varying connectivity needs across the state. No single connectivity technology is suitable for the entire state, and local community leaders must investigate what options work best for their communities. However, permitting delays and workforce limitations must be considered when drafting a timeline for infrastructure projects as coordinating with a workforce and navigating the State’s permitting process is no simple or expedient task. To address some of these issues, the Department of Labor & Industry has allocated $800,000 in grant funding to train future trades workers specifically for the coming rollout of communication infrastructure projects. Effective partnerships between local governments and internet service providers are absolutely essential to maximize the utilization of grant money, with opportunities for broadband expansion on the horizon. If these partnerships are realized, and work begins swiftly, the entirety of Fayette County can expect to receive internet access by 2030.
“Our mission is to close the digital divide and connect all Pennsylvanians.”
Brandon Carson
Executive Director, PA Broadband Development Authority |
Andrew French, Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority of Fayette County, highlighted the reality faced by low-income homeowners who cannot afford basic internet services and must rely on limited smartphone capabilities. The lack of high-speed internet hinders telework, tele-education, and telemedicine, presenting one of the most critical challenges to growth and opportunity in Fayette County. To address this issue, Fayette County has begun the "Connect Fayette" initiative.
Phase 1 of the Connect Fayette initiative, funded by $5.3 million of the Federal CARES Act, has already created 29 hot-spot locations throughout rural areas of the county, with special attention given to Ohiopyle Borough, which hosts 1.5 million visitors annually. Phase 2 of the initiative uses $4.6 million American Rescue Plan Act funding to expand hot spots to other regions in Fayette County, with plans for expanding fiber infrastructure. Phase 3, funded by $10 million within the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, will install fiber lines along 118 miles of roadway, directly connecting 1,946 unserved and 81 underserved locations. Thanks to federal investment and the efforts of local community leaders significant communications infrastructure is coming to Fayette County.
“We are confident that broadband connectivity for all of Fayette County is achievable.”
Andrew French
Executive Director, Redevelopment Authority of the County of Fayette |
Jeremy Crandall, Assistant Vice President of State Legislative Affairs for the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), discussed the significance of wireless connectivity in today's world and his industry’s efforts to expand access to the latest technologies. Contrary to inflationary trends seen across other industries and goods, the cost of wireless services and smartphones has decreased in the last year. The infrastructure and technology is more affordable than ever, and now work must be done with local governments to ensure it is made available to all.
Mr. Crandall, like other testifiers previously mentioned, expressed that expansions in wireless infrastructure are pivotal to economic growth. To enhance internet access to all using the means that work best for their communities, Pennsylvania should consider tech-neutral policies that allow communities to choose the most suitable options for them. Even with significant federal funding, private investment will always be crucial for infrastructure expansion, and a stable regulatory and tax climate throughout the state encourages such investments. Mr. Crandall encouraged the adoption of business-friendly policies at the state level such as a repeal of the gross receipts tax along with broadband-related sales taxes and the increased utilization of state lands to attract wireless providers, ensuring better connectivity for all residents.
“This is a time of unprecedented wireless demand from American consumers.”
Jeremy Crandall
Assistant Vice President, State Legislative Affairs, CTIA |
The "Advancing Our Rural Connectivity" hearing illuminated the pressing need for expanded connectivity in rural Pennsylvania. The day’s testifiers emphasized the potential for prosperity and economic growth that improving rural broadband and cellular access can bring to our rural communities. The insights from the testifiers, community members, and experts showcased the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. As we look to the future, it's evident that increased rural connectivity is not just a matter of convenience; it's a path to greater economic and social well-being.