U.S. Nebraska senator Deb Fischer is on a mission to improve broadband connectivity throughout her state. In her weekly news column, Fischer declared that too many Nebraskans experience communication challenges.
Both rural and urban Nebraskans suffer from aging and outdated telecommunication infrastructure, which leads to dropped calls and insufficient Internet access. This isn’t just an inconvenience; Fischer outlines that these issues are a threat to public safety, hinder economic development and isolate entrepreneurs from connecting with suppliers and customers across the country.
“I believe that promoting a 21st century infrastructure is a core duty of the federal government, which is why I have been working with my colleagues across the aisle to address ongoing communications challenges impacting Nebraskans,” Fischer explained.
Fischer used her influence in Washington to introduce a bipartisan proposal to the Senate’s budget that would identify ways to improve broadband infrastructure. The Senate unanimously adopted the amendment in March.
“Expanding access to broadband requires both modern infrastructure and affordable costs for consumers,” Fisher said. “Reliable phone and Internet access are not luxuries. They are necessities for businesses to remain competitive; they help to provide healthcare to rural or remote areas; and they ensure the public safety of our citizens. That is why I’m committed to supporting smart policies to bolster broadband access – it’s a safety issue, and it’s a jobs issue.”
In addition to upgrading infrastructure, Fischer is a strong supporter of the Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act. This legislation bans multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce. For Fischer, Internet taxes hinder consumers with unnecessary financial burdens. Instead of taxing everyone, the government should work towards enhancing broadband access.
Aging and outdated telecommunication infrastructure affects citizens throughout the United States. Broadband connectivity should be a priority for all government officials because it leads to greater economic development and promotes public safety. GeoTel Communications’ metro fiber maps, long haul fiber, and fiber lit buildings can help officials such as Deb Fischer make informed decisions for planning new fiber optic networks. If you are interested in obtaining telecommunications GIS data to analyze telecom networks and make business decisions, contact GeoTel Communications at (800) 277-2172.
