Rural Broadband: Selected Analyses of Deployment & Loan Programs

Access to affordable broadband is seen as vital to economic growth and improved quality of life, yet its deployment in rural areas can be costly. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) appropriated funding for BIP, a USDA RUS program to fund broadband projects to provide service to end users in mostly rural areas. This book addresses how RUS ensures that projects are completed by the deadline and as approved and the extent to which RUS provides information to show BIP''''s impact. It also discusses the progress of broadband projects, their effect on expanding access to and adoption of broadband, and any challenges awardees face in completing projects and agency actions to address these challenges. See more