Friday, March 4, 2022
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Representative Pebblin Warren Applauds Bipartisan Support
For Broadband Expansion in Alabama
Montgomery, AL. – During the Alabama House floor debate on broadband expansion, Rep. Pebblin Warren (D-Tuskegee) expressed her support for the bipartisan effort to ensure high-speed internet connectivity throughout the state, particularly in unserved communities. SB124, sponsored by Senator Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville) was passed by both chambers and added key provisions to bolster the Connect Alabama Act, which was signed into law in 2021.
According to Rep. Warren, “I was probably one of the first ones to start on this when Governor Riley appointed the first task force on (broadband expansion)”, and continued saying, “All of these improvements are excellent for the program.”
Rep. Warren noted that the new provisions would set minimum thresholds for internet upload and download speeds. She recounted past issues that she and others faced when dealing with slow or unreliable internet access speeds. The average connectivity speed in the U.S. is estimated to be 99 megabits per second (mbps), while the average in Alabama is 80mbps. The bill, if signed into law, would set a minimum threshold of 100mbps for Alabama.
Rep. Warren commented on the difficulty many school children faced during the COVID-19 pandemic saying, “I’m looking forward to the day that all of our kids have true access to education and the cyberworld (because) there were still so many kids that didn’t have access.”
Rep. Warren closed by stressing the importance of continuing broadband expansion until every child in Alabama has access to the internet to enhance their educational opportunities.
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