Wicker Praises New Broadband Progress

Broadband access is one of the most important issues facing Mississippi. In a recent column, I outlined the Trump administration's efforts to expand internet service across the country. Today, I am also encouraged to report that we are taking action closer to home. Mississippi's Office of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility (BEAM) has taken a significant step forward in our state's internet access ambitions. State officials have sent the federal government a proposal, which outlines how Mississippi intends to spend the buildout portion of our $1.2 billion broadband grant.

One Step Closer to Statewide Broadband

In 2021, I helped negotiate the infrastructure legislation that brought this historic funding to Mississippi. But by the time President Biden left office, he had imposed so many needless regulations on the funds that progress ground to a virtual halt. Fortunately, President Trump has been unwinding those burdensome restrictions, paving the way for deployment. Soon, we should have high-level service at the best price for both the federal government and consumers.

Now that we have submitted our proposal, Mississippi is one step closer to building new broadband infrastructure around the state. As the plan was being developed, I worked with officials at BEAM and the U.S. Commerce Department. I am optimistic that our collaboration will ensure timely approval so we can get to work on construction.

Investing in Mississippi's Innovation Economy

In addition to rolling back unnecessary restrictions, the Trump administration has changed the way these broadband funds will be spent. Because of this, many states' proposals will come in under budget. These states could actually end up with leftover funds from the 2021 broadband legislation.

In that law, Congress was clear: States can use this remaining grant money. That policy rewards those who wisely stewarded their deployment funds. It could also help states maximize the impact of the 2021 law-if we direct the funds wisely.

I, along with my Senate colleagues, have been discussing how to make sure these leftover funds are spent effectively. I believe we should allow states to spend these funds on projects that modernize public safety and national security tools. We should also allow states to invest in the skilled workforce training necessary for emerging technologies-especially as the world rapidly adopts artificial intelligence (AI) in defense, healthcare, business, and education. Recent private investments have positioned Mississippi to lead in AI, and these additional projects could help us stay on the cutting edge.

Connecting Mississippi to Telehealth

AI may get all the headlines today, but traditional internet is still changing the way we live. That continues to be true in healthcare. In the past decade, patients and doctors have come to see telehealth as a useful way to conduct appointments-especially for those living in rural communities.

Since 2016, I have been working to provide Medicare coverage for telehealth visits. Several times, Congress has provided short-term coverage, which has then been extended. The current provisions are set to expire at the end of this month. I have stated that I would vote for another short-term extension of coverage, but what we really need is enactment of permanent policy.

Telehealth is one of the many benefits of reliable broadband. As we look forward to the deployment of more broadband infrastructure, and as I advocate for telehealth coverage, I will continue working to connect all Mississippians to vital internet access.