The US Department of Agriculture has issued final rules to expand broadband internet service in rural areas. The “Rural Utilities Services” or RUS (russ) rules would allow USDA to provide loans to companies that want to expand broadband services in those areas. Greg Dean with the South Dakota Telecommunications Association says the new rules may not be much help…
Dean says many of their members are sitting on the sidelines, waiting to see how the program unfolds, and how conflicting rules from another federal agency are implemented…
Dean says despite the so called final rules, they don’t see much more expansion in the near future…
A number of rural telephone companies in the state have taken advantage of the program to expand services.