Seeking to Expand Coverage, Broadband Advocates Revive Bill That Would Remove Land Line Requirement

Kenny Colston — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:39:10 +0000

Advocates for more wireless and broadband options in Kentucky will once again push a bill reforming the state's telecommunications laws—specifically, removing language that requires old-school land-line service throughout the state.

Citizens for a Digital Future unveiled the legislation Tuesday, which is sponsored by state Sen. Paul Hornback, a Republican from Shelbyville.

The bill would allow phone companies to be unbounded from state law requiring them to run land line service in all areas of the state. If a comparable voice service was in the area, including wireless options, companies could end their land line services.

It has the support of various local and national groups who say wireless and broadband technologies need to be expanded statewide in order for the state to compete globally.

But opponents of the so-called "AT&T bill"— nicknamed after the largest company in support of the bill—say the measure allows telephone companies to stop landline service to rural areas, where doing so is expensive.

New Group Plans Bigger Push for Expansion of Broadband Access in Kentucky

Kenny Colston — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 18:19:44 +0000

A national group that has pushed expanding broadband access in other southern states is now focusing on Kentucky. Citizens for a Digital Future is opening up a Kentucky chapter to help advocate for these issues with lawmakers and private businesses.