Governor Jay Inslee started to promote his bill — SB 5511 — for better (rural) broadband earlier this year. The bill establishes a State Broadband Office (SBO) and earmarks funding for local broadband initiatives, according to Community Networks. In order to bring high-quality internet access to the entire state, millions and possibly billions of dollars of infrastructure investment are required.
No one is certain how much completing the task will cost, and obtaining a better estimate will be one of the tasks of the SBO. The bill allocates $1.2 million to create the SBO and fund broadband projects.
Rural communities, economic development organizations, and tribes supported the concept, reported Community Networks.
The applicant pool for SB 5511 allows an array of eligible entities but prioritizes funding for unserved areas. In addition to tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, co-ops, public-private partnerships, LLCs organized specifically for broadband expansion and private sector corporations are eligible to apply for funds.
The bill also aims to give public utility districts (PUDs) the authority to operate temporary retail services via their infrastructure to end users, if an ISP using the fiber ends service to subscribers. The PUD can only offer the service if there are no other ISPs willing to take on the subscribers and the PUD must try to find a replacement; but subscribers won’t be left without internet access, according to Community Networks.
With SB 5511, port districts can also acquire and operate telecommunications facilities outside of their districts in order to provide wholesale service. The added authority can contribute to the expansion of service in rural areas. PUDs and port districts have proven their ability to effectively bring broadband infrastructure to unserved and underserved Washingtonians.
The second substitute version of the bill is under review with the House Innovation, Technology & Economic Development Committee.
March 28, 2019
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