FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rural Broadband Task Force
Recommendations To Close the Gap
Lincoln, November 5, 2019 – The Nebraska Public Service
Commission (PSC) looks forward to addressing
recommendations from the recently released Rural
Broadband Task Force’s report aimed at improving the
availability and affordability of broadband across the state.
“Over the past year, task force members and sub-committee
volunteers dedicated themselves to providing a report that
paints a comprehensive picture of where Nebraska stands
today with broadband deployment and how it can be built
out further,” said PSC chair, Mary Ridder, task force member.
“I am encouraged by the sum total of this effort, results and
by the participants.”
The report lays out recommendations in six key areas:
broadband data and mapping; alternative technologies and
providers; Nebraska Universal Service Fund (NUSF) and
reverse auction; public-private partnerships and broadband
planning; Digital inclusion, homework gap and leveraging
E-Rate funding; and broadband infrastructure funds.
Ridder said, “The report contains actionable recommendations
designed to move the state forward when it comes to
broadband deployment. I look forward to the PSC continuing
to play a key role in our work to provide avenues to deploy
this vital and critical service to the unserved and underserved
citizens in Nebraska.”
The statewide rural broadband task force was created by the
passage of LB 994 to review issues relating to the availability,
adoption and affordability of broadband services in rural areas
of Nebraska. The Rural Broadband Task Force report to the
legislature is available @ https://ruralbroadband.nebraska.gov ###
Contact:
Deb Collins- Media & Communications Mgr.
(402) 471-0226
deb.collins@nebraska.gov
