Congressman John Joyce discusses broadband changes in Central PA

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — Wireless internet has not been reaching thousands of residents in Central Pennsylvania.

There have been instances where students have done schoolwork in their cars on campus just to get high-speed internet. There are businesses that have had to close their doors due to their Wi-Fi cutting out and messing with their software systems to conduct business.

“Blair County alone, there’s over 4,000 homes and businesses that have no high-speed internet today,” Brendan Carr, one of five commissioners of the FCC said. “That’s unacceptable. If you look at neighboring Bedford County, it’s 8,000.”

Tuesday had officials from different businesses sit down with U.S. Representative John Joyce (R-13th) and Commissioner Carr to discuss what has been stopping broadband networks from reaching several Central Pennsylvania counties. The project has been delayed 995 days, which rounds up to three years.

Joyce saw the front lines of the progress in Washington D.C. He understands the reason why the project has stalled out.

“The permitting is not rolling out fast,” Joyce said. “We need to get these individuals trained. We need to make these connections, whether it’s fiber, whether it’s satellite. We need to utilize all the technologies that are available.”

Across the country, more than $42 billion has been set aside for states to use to expand their broadband networks. In Pennsylvania, $1.6 billion was awarded to them for counties such as Bedford, Somerset, Blair, Cambria, and more.

With that allotment, there is worry amongst the Broadband Communications Association of Pennsylvania (BACP). There is worry that the Commonwealth does not reach the bar when it comes to workers and their wages.

“The state insists on using the electric linemen and telling that to workers that don’t work in high voltage. In fact, they work in low voltage,” President Todd Eachus said. “They don’t work high off the ground. It only makes sense to do what the federal government has done and other states across the nation has done, and that is create appropriate wage rates and job classifications.”

Even with setbacks on workers and their compensation, the BACP does feel progress is being made.

“We still have challenges, but [Joyce and Carr] have been leaders in trying to cut down the red tape and the regulatory overreach in order for Pennsylvania and the nation to be successful,” Eachus said.

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The group felt that the discussion led to steps being taken in the right direction. However, progress needs to be made now, or else the window to do so will close.

“We have to start moving forward,” Carr said. “995 days. No shovels turning dirt. No one being connected. That’s not acceptable right now.”

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