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A new bipartisan bill called the Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments (LAST ACRE) has been introduced by Senators Deb Fischer and Ben Ray Luján. The bill aims to expand broadband connectivity in farmlands to support the adoption of precision agriculture technology.

The LAST ACRE bill proposes the establishment of a competitive grant under the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program. This grant would focus on advancing connectivity tailored to farmland structures and devices such as tractors, combines, irrigation systems, and drones.

In addition to expanding connectivity, the bill also directs the USDA to revise its questionnaire in the Census of Agriculture to collect data on service speeds and broadband usage purposes. This information will provide the USDA with a better understanding of the connectivity needs of the farming community.

The bill has received support from various organizations in the telecom and agriculture industries, including the American Farm Bureau, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, and the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association.

In another related development, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a million fine against carriers Q Link Wireless and Hello Mobile Telecom. The FCC alleges that these companies failed to authenticate customers before granting them online access to their telephone usage database, which contains sensitive personal information. The FCC also found that the companies did not implement adequate data security standards, leaving customers vulnerable to data leaks and misuse.

The FCC’s enforcement action serves as a reminder to all telecommunications service providers to prioritize customer data protection. The commission is currently awaiting a response from the companies before taking further action.

Additionally, UTOPIA Fiber, a community fiber network based in Utah, has appointed Nicole Cottle as its new director of government affairs. Cottle will be responsible for managing relationships with lawmakers at the local, state, and federal levels to promote the deployment of high-speed fiber infrastructure. With her extensive experience in municipal leadership, Cottle is well-positioned to help UTOPIA Fiber meet the growing connectivity needs of Utah and the West.

The municipal broadband network project in Bountiful City will also continue in partnership with UTOPIA Fiber, starting in August. This partnership will ensure residents and businesses have access to reliable high-speed connectivity.

Overall, these developments highlight the ongoing efforts to enhance broadband connectivity in both rural and urban areas, recognizing the crucial role it plays in supporting precision agriculture and digital infrastructure needs.

The post August 1, 2023 – Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Expand Broadband Connectivity for Farmlands appeared first on satProviders.