FCC Gives a Boost to Rural Broadband

The Federal Communications Commission and USDA today flipped the switch on a new website offering rural web-users help in getting better access to the Internet. "Broadband Opportunities for Rural America" pulls together information on types of broadband technology and ways to fund better service systems in rural areas. The FCC and USDA also announced four workshops on rural broadband to be held later this year in Blacksburg, Virginia"¨ (Apr. 30), Saginaw, Michigan"¨ (June 19), Austin, Texas (Sept. 18), and Phoenix, Arizona (Nov. 20).The workshops are set to consider a new pilot program on rural health care as well as internet access issues.