OTI submitted public comments along with MediaJustice and Access Humboldt on the Department of Treasury’s Interim Final Rule to implement the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund and the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund established under the American Rescue Plan Act.
The Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) raises several key questions on how to ensure that this funding best connects the communities impacted most heavily by this virus, particularly low-income households, historically marginalized communities, and the Indigenous across both rural and urban areas. Joint Advocates offer several answers and key recommendations to maximize the impact of this funding, including:
● prioritizing funding broadband projects meeting a minimum of 100/100 Mbps symmetrical download and upload speeds;
● granting exemptions to minimum service standards only given demonstrated community need;
● ensuring that funding reaches historically marginalized populations and does not perpetuate digital redlining;
● supporting providers that create not just sufficiently fast but also affordable internet service plans;
● encouraging network buildout that is community driven and community based, with maximum local input; and
● investing in networks in Tribal communities that have historically had less access to telecommunications services than any other segment of the population.
