I don't see how this is gonna help rural folks much since the phone companies will want to use existing copper lines to provide DSL, and with current technology, DSL is limited to about 5 miles from the Central Telephone switch. They sure aren't gonna want to invest in running fibreoptic to every farmhouse. That leads satellite as the only viable present alternative. It's available now..but at a steep price.
I'll see if I can come up with a better explanation in my paper work.
They could make sure that every farm has its very own Central Office, as it desrves.
I doubt vert seriously that they'll use the fiber to the curb/house technique. It costs too much. But, there are many democrats who want to be sure that the farmers get what they "deserve."
The RBOCs have been under incredibly onerous restrictions that have been a tremendous drag on the spread of broadband and other communications technologies for far too long. This goes beyond these restrictions and into restrictions on providing video-on-demand, etc.
That distance is more like 15,000 to 18,000 feet - 3.4 Statute miles max ...
(Sec. 3) Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and each State from regulating the rates, charges, terms or conditions for, or entry into the provision of, any high speed data service, Internet backbone service, or Internet access service, or to regulate any network element to the extent it is used in the provision of any such service. Prohibits the FCC from imposing or requiring the collection of any fee, tax, charge, or tariff upon such service. Prohibits the FCC or any State from requiring an incumbent (established) local exchange carrier to provide unbundled access to any network elements used in the provision of any high speed data service. Requires the FCC to provide unbundled access to those network elements prescribed in regulations in effect as of January 1, 1999, or as modified by a specified FCC line-sharing order.
(Sec. 4) States that an incumbent local exchange carrier shall not be required to provide unbundled access to the high frequency portion of the loop at a remote terminal. Directs the FCC and States to permit such a carrier to charge requesting carriers for such access. Prohibits either the FCC or a State from interpreting the line-sharing order to expand a local exchange carrier's obligation to provide access to any network element for line-sharing. Prohibits any network element used in the provision of high speed service from being entitled to any subsidy that is not provided on a nondiscriminatory basis to all providers of high speed data service and Internet access service. Requires all local exchange carriers that provide high speed data service, for three years after the enactment of this Act, to offer for resale any such service at wholesale rates. Preserves existing interconnection agreements.
(Sec. 5) Requires each incumbent local exchange carrier to provide: (1) Internet users with the ability to subscribe to and have access to any Internet service provider that interconnects with such carrier's high speed data service; (2) any Internet service provider with the right to acquire necessary facilities and services to facilitate such interconnection; (3) any Internet service provider with the ability to collocate equipment in order to achieve such interconnection; and (4) any provider of high speed service, Internet backbone service, or Internet access service with special access for the provision of Internet access service within a period that is no longer than the period in which such local incumbent exchange carrier provides special access to itself or any affiliate for the provision of such service.
(Sec. 6) Prohibits a Bell operating company from providing interLATA (local access and transport area) voice telecommunication service by means of the high speed data service or Internet backbone service provided by such company until it is authorized to provide interLATA services originating in an in-region State. Prohibits a Bell operating company or its affiliate from providing high speed data service or Internet backbone service in any in-region State: (1) unless it files with the Attorney General an application to provide such service; and (2) until the Attorney General either approves or fails to act on such application within 90 days.
Amends the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to require full application of the antitrust laws to all rights, obligations, powers, and remedies under such Act or the Communications Act of 1934, regardless of the progress of competition in any market.
(Sec. 7) Requires Bell operating companies and their affiliates to deploy high speed data services in each State in which such a company or affiliate is an incumbent local exchange carrier, in accordance with a specified deployment schedule. Provides forfeiture penalties for companies and affiliates failing to so comply. Requires the FCC to include in certain required annual reports an analysis of the deployment of high speed data service to underserved areas.
(Sec. 8) Authorizes the FCC to impose penalties for violations of amendments made by this Act.
There is a plan to deploy Low Earth Orbit satellite systems, which will address this problem. I don't know yet if they will market directly to rural residents, however.
Also, there is equipment available which allows 128 kpbs on a 120,000 (!) foot loop. Unfortunately, it has not been widely adopted.