Vermont Business Magazine Speaker Jill Krowinski, Representative Tim Briglin, and Representative Laura Sibilia today issued the following statements after the historic vote to invest $150 million to accelerate deployment of broadband internet for Vermonters across the state. On Friday, however, Governor Phil Scott said that the bill is well short of what is needed and he will present a $300 million broadband plan soon.
Speaker Krowinski said: “We have long discussed the disparities that exist between those who have access to broadband internet access and those who do not. This disparity was further exacerbated by the pandemic with Vermonters being forced to work from home, children and teachers struggling to connect because of connectivity issues, and businesses trying to bring their brick and mortar operations into the online marketplace. This bill will put critical coordination and financial tools in place to advance the State’s goal of achieving universal access to reliable, high-quality, affordable broadband.”
“We have a connectivity crisis in Vermont at no time more obvious than during this pandemic. To solve it will require accountability and coordination,” said Rep. Briglin, chair of the House Energy and Technology Committee. “It will require focus on universal service, not just connectivity to the most profitable customers. H.360 can be our ‘rural electrification project’ for broadband.”
“H.360 is sweeping in its scope. It establishes a Team Vermont approach to solving the problem of connecting the last mile and invites all who are willing and able to work with the Vermonters who are fueling these efforts,” said Representative Sibilia, vice-chair of the House Energy and Technology Committee. “This will look different in different regions, but with the same principles - universal coverage, accountability to Vermonters, and 100 download/100 upload Mb symmetrical service.”
You can find the bill here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2022/H.360
Source: Montpelier, Vt. – Speaker Jill Krowinski 3.23.2021