Rural Broadband Deployment

Section 1 of the bill updates the definition of a broadband network for purposes of telecommunications regulation and deregulation. Section 2 updates how the public utilities commission (commission) makes an effective competition determination for high cost support mechanism (HCSM) funding, which is financial assistance provided to telecommunications companies that provide basic telephone service or broadband service in areas that lack effective competition. Section 3 establishes that HCSM funding cannot be used to support more than one wireline and one wireless line per individual household or individual business. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)