Latta Introduces the WIRELESS Leadership Act to Streamline Rural Broadband Internet Deployment

Last week, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) reintroduced the Winning the International Race for Economic Leadership and Expanding Service to Support Leadership Act (WIRELESS) Leadership Act, a bill to modernize broadband permitting to reduce barriers to deployment.

The bill will provide much-needed transparency into the application process for broadband providers to invest in new or upgraded infrastructure and ensure the speedy approval process of broadband applications.

"Every American deserves access to reliable broadband. To close the digital divide, we must expand broadband access to unserved and underserved communities, especially in rural areas. Over the years, billions of dollars have been allocated to expand rural broadband, but without meaningful broadband permitting reform, it's not enough. If we do not reform this process, all of the federal money will be tied up in burdensome permitting reviews resulting in more unnecessary delays. That's why I reintroduced the WIRELESS Leadership Act to streamline state and local permitting, cut through burdensome reviews, and accelerate broadband deployment so more communities can get connected. Reliable broadband means students can complete their homework, small businesses can compete in a digital economy, and farmers can access the latest tools and technologies to improve productivity. Now is the moment to close the digital divide once and for all," said Latta.

Latta's work to improve rural broadband Internet access:

Congressman Latta serves as Co-Chair of the Rural Broadband Caucus and previously led the Energy and Commerce Committee's Communications and Technology Subcommittee. Throughout his time in Congress, he has championed efforts to close the digital divide for communities in Ohio and across the nation. Among these efforts is his Broadband Data Act, signed into law in 2020, which required the FCC to develop updated broadband maps to ensure federal resources are accurately directed to communities without reliable internet access.