Is Enough Being Done To Bring Broadband To Rural Washington?

It’s been a talking point in Olympia and in D.C., rural broadband.  Many, like Sarah Ryan, Vice President of the Washington Cattlemen’s Association say having high speed internet levels the playing field.

“It allows everyone to compete at the speed of commerce.  I was at a bull sale this weekend where they had the auction on-line, and so, if you weren’t able to make it in person to the sale, you could have gotten on-line and bought those bulls without making it clear to the auction.”

Ryan also said broadband is vital for owners and operators that plan on utilizing electronic trading, futures and options trading.  She said operators in more rural areas of the Evergreen State are at a great disadvantage, domestically and internationally.  But, is enough being done to bring broadband service to rural Washington?

“We certainly appreciate that with President Trump’s leadership and some of the changing dynamics in, even, Olympia, that rural broadband has been seen as a way to generate support for a good bill, that maybe wouldn’t have had as much support.  So, it’s certainly getting more traction than it has.  Whether enough is being done, I don’t think enough is done until there actually is rural broadband in those communities,” added Ryan.

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